Sir William Knox | |
|---|---|
| 22nd Deputy Premier of Queensland | |
| In office 13 August 1976 – 9 October 1978 | |
| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Gordon Chalk |
| Succeeded by | Llew Edwards |
| Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party Elections: 1977, 1986 | |
| In office 3 November 1983 – 31 January 1988 | |
| Deputy | Bill Lickiss (1983–1986) Angus Innes (1986–1988) |
| Preceded by | Terry White |
| Succeeded by | Angus Innes |
| In office 13 August 1976 – 6 October 1978 | |
| Deputy | Fred Campbell |
| Preceded by | Gordon Chalk |
| Succeeded by | Llew Edwards |
| Minister for Employment and Labour Relations | |
| In office 23 December 1980 – 18 August 1983 | |
| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Fred Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Vince Lester |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 15 December 1978 – 23 December 1980 | |
| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Llew Edwards |
| Succeeded by | Brian Austin |
| 36th Treasurer of Queensland | |
| In office 13 August 1976 – 15 December 1978 | |
| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Gordon Chalk |
| Succeeded by | Llew Edwards |
| Deputy Leader of the Queensland Liberal Party | |
| In office 20 December 1971 – 13 August 1976 | |
| Leader | Gordon Chalk |
| Preceded by | Peter Delamothe |
| Succeeded by | Fred Campbell |
| Attorney-General of Queensland and Minister for Justice | |
| In office 20 December 1971 – 13 August 1976 | |
| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Peter Delamothe |
| Succeeded by | Bill Lickiss |
| Minister for Transport | |
| In office 23 December 1965 – 20 June 1972 | |
| Premier | Frank Nicklin Jack Pizzey Gordon Chalk Joh Bjelke-Petersen |
| Preceded by | Gordon Chalk |
| Succeeded by | Keith Hooper |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Nundah | |
| In office 3 August 1957 – 2 December 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Hadley |
| Succeeded by | Phil Heath |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 December 1927 Kew, Victoria |
| Died | 22 September 2001 (aged 73) |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse | Doris Alexia Ross[1] |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Melbourne High School |
| Occupation | Company secretary, Company director |
Sir William Edward Knox OSJ, KSJI (14 December 1927 – 22 September 2001)[2] was born in Kew, Victoria, Australia and was the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland representing the district of Nundah for the Liberal Party between from 1957 to 1989.[2] He was Liberal leader in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 1976 to 1978 and again from 1983 to 1988 and was given life membership that same year.
He was born in Kew, Victoria to Edward Knox and Bessie Alice (née Thomas).
Knox was one of the founders of the Liberal Party in Queensland and together with Sir James Killen established the Young Liberal movement in this state in 1949.
A company secretary and manager by profession, Knox was Vice President of the Queensland Liberal Party between 1956 and 1957.
In 1957 he elected as the member for Nundah defeating Queensland Labor Party incumbent Jim Hadley, taking advantage of a split within Labor.
Knox entered the Ministry in 1965 as Transport Minister. He would later hold the portfolios of Health, Justice and Attorney-General.
After the retirement of Peter Delamothe in 1971 he was elected Deputy Liberal Leader, and in 1976 he succeeded Gordon Chalk as leader.
The Liberal's lost a net 6 seats at the 1977 election which led to his ousting as leader in favour of Llew Edwards in the hope that he would be more publicly assertive with Premier Bjelke-Petersen.[3]
When the Ginger Group replaced Llew Edwards with Terry White in 1983, Knox joined the rest of the Liberals in moving to crossbench. Following their heavy defeat at the 1983 election he was once again elected as leader to lead the rump group of 8 members.
He was replaced as leader by his deputy Angus Innes in 1988, and at the 1989 election he was by defeated the ALP's Phil Heath on a 13.4% swing.
Upon losing his seat to the Labor he became involved in community groups.
He had 2 sons, 2 daughters with his wife Doris Ross.
He was State Chairman of the St John Ambulance Association and the President of the Association of Independent Schools of Queensland.[2]
A state funeral was held for him.[4]