Alexander Poynton was a foundation member of the Australian House of Representatives, of which he was a member from 1901 to 1922. He was born in Victoria in 1853, and his father was reputed to have been one of the miners at the Eureka Stockade.

He married Harriet Brown in 1880, and they had three sons and four daughters. Two of the sons were killed in the Great War.

Poynton started his career in politics as president of the Amalgamated Miners' Association, treasurer of the Amalgamated Shearers's Union and then in the Australian Workers' Union. From his start in the unions, he stood for the South Australian House of Assembly, of which he was a member from 1893 to 1901. He then moved to Federal politics.

Alexander Poynton was a Labor MHR for the period from 1902 to 1916. During this period he was Chairman of Committees for 1910 - 1913. However, it was his defection from the Labor Party together with Prime Minister B.M.Hughes that saw him rise to ministerial rank. He held various ministries during the period 1916 - 1923, at which time he was defeated in his seat of Grey in South Australia.

Alexander's siblings included Edward and Joseph James. .

This page is maintained by Charles Poynton of 78 Blencowe St, West Leederville, WA 6007, Australia. ph +618 9381 7651 email charlesp@faroc.com.au
Should you have further information, corrections and/or photographs on antecedants or descendants, please contact him for their inclusion in this site.

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