Sector
Politics, Government and Public Service
Occupation title
Member of Legistlative Council
Department of Government
Yes
Sources
Australian Dictionary of Biography
Source Details free text
Concern for the welfare of soldier settlers drew Byrnes into politics. He was elected to the Swan Hill Shire Council in 1935 (president 1939-40). At the 1937 and 1940 State elections he contested Swan Hill as an endorsed Country Party candidate, but the seat was easily retained by Frank Old. On the death of Henry Pye, Byrnes was chosen in 1942 as Country Party candidate for the Legislative Council province of North Western which he won uncontested and held until his retirement in 1969.
