Labor Leader - 19 December 1991 — 19 March 1996
Labor Prime Minister - 20 December 1991 — 11 March 1996
Biography
Paul Keating was Australia's 24th Prime Minister and held office from 20
December 1991 to 11 March 1996.
Paul Keating was born on 18 January 1944 at Bankstown, Sydney, into a working class Catholic family . He left De La Salle College at 14 and worked as a clerk with the Sydney County Council, continuing with evening study at Belmore Technical College and managing a rock band, the Ramrods.
He joined the ALP and in 1968 became a research officer with the Federated Municipal Employees Union. An admirer of Jack Lang and a member of the NSW right, Keating entered federal parliament as the member for Blaxland in 1969.
He was the Minister for the NT (1975) in the last weeks of the Whitlam Government. In opposition Keating held the shadow portfolios of agriculture (1976), minerals and energy (1980 - 1983) and treasury (1983). In government from March 1983, Keating as Treasurer and Hawke as Prime Minister floated the Australian dollar, deregulated financial markets and put into place the Prices and Incomes Accord.
Keating challenged Hawke for the Labor Party leadership in mid 1991 but was defeated and retired to the back bench. He challenged again in December 1991 and won.
As Prime Minister Paul Keating outlined plans for Australia in the Asia-Pacific region, for Aboriginal reconciliation and for the creation of an Australian republic.
He was Prime Minister until March 1996.
For further information, visit the official Paul Keating website.