Andrew Fisher

Rt Hon Andrew Fisher
5thPrime Minister of Australia
In office 13 November1908–2 June1909 29 April1910–24 June1913 17 September1914–27 October1915
Preceded by	Alfred Deakin Joseph Cook
Succeeded by	Alfred Deakin Joseph Cook Billy Hughes
Constituency	Wide Bay(Queensland)
Personal details
Born	(1862-08-29)29 August 1862 Crosshouse,Scotland
Died	22 October 1928(1928-10-22)(aged 66)
Political party	Labor

Andrew Fisher(29 August1862–22 October1928) was the fifthPrime MinisterofAustralia.He was Prime Minister three times. His government helped create theRoyal Australian Navyand make Australia's own paper money. When he retired he moved toLondon.

Fisher was born inCrosshouse,Scotland,where he was educated at the Crosshouse Primary School. At the age of 10 he left school to work in thecoalmines.In1885he moved to Australia where he worked in the coal mines atBurrumandGympie.He was elected to theQueenslandParliamentin1892.In 1901 he married Margaret Irvine. Fisher was elected in 1901 to the seat ofWide Bayin the firstAustralian parliament.

When Fisher was Prime Minister a number of important projects were undertaken. TheCommonwealth Bankwas set up, theNorthern TerritoryofSouth Australiawas transferred to the Commonwealth, the federal capital ofCanberrawas founded, and the construction of the trans-Australian railway line linkingPerthto the other capital cities was begun. As well as introducing maternity allowances, Fisher acknowledged the need for greater political equality for women.

Andrew Fisher is one of Australia's most successful prime ministers because of the changes he made. He was the first prime minister to have a majority in both theHouse of Representativesand theSenate.He was able to have more than 110 Acts passed into law.