Angus Bethune

Angus Bethune (Parliament of Tasmania)

Walter Angus Bethune (1908–2004), politician, son of a well-known clerical and establishment Tasmanian family, was schooled at Hutchins and Launceston Grammar. After jackerooing in New South Wales, he returned to the family property, and in 1938 married Alexandra Pritchard of Toowoomba. In 1936 he became a councillor of the Hamilton municipality, resigning in 1956. Bethune was in the RAAF from 1940 to 1943, serving in aircrew in the Middle East.

In 1946 Bethune was elected to the House of Assembly as a Liberal member for Wilmot; in 1960 he became Opposition leader, was Premier from 1969 to 1972, and resigned from parliament in 1975. Bethune was knighted in 1975. During his parliamentary career he was noted for his grasp of federal-state relations, his humanity and his keen analytical mind.

Max Bingham