Killen: Inside Australian Politics

xiv, 355 p., [24] p. of plates : ill., ports. ; 23 cm. #0621/301021 First Edition

Killen, James, Sir, 1925-2007  |  Cabinet officers — Australia — Biography.  |  Politicians — Australia — Biography.  |  Australia — Politics and government — 20th century.

Sir Denis James “Jim” Killen, AC, KCMG (23 November 1925 – 12 January 2007) was an Australian politician and a Liberal Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from December 1955 to August 1983, representing the Division of Moreton in Queensland. He served as Vice-President of the Executive Council, Minister for Defence and Minister for the Navy during his parliamentary career.

Killen was born in Dalby, Queensland and educated at Brisbane Grammar School and the University of Queensland, where he graduated in law. He enlisted for service in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II; he was discharged in 1945 with the rank of flight sergeant. After the war he worked on the land before returning to Brisbane. In 1949 he joined the new Liberal Party of Australia and became the founding president of the Queensland Young Liberals.