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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

Portrait of Andrew Fisher

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  4. Andrew Fisher

Andrew Fisher

Andrew Fisher was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1908 to 1909, 1910 to 1913, and 1914 to 1915.

About Andrew Fisher

Portrait of Andrew Fisher

  • Born: 29 August 1862
  • Died: 22 October 1928
  • Partner: Margaret Jane Fisher
  • Political party: Australian Labor Party
  • Image: NAA: A1200, L61720

Andrew Fisher was Australia's 5th Prime Minister. Like Alfred Deakin, Fisher held the office three times, in 1908-09, 1910-13 and 1914-15. Although very different in background, these two men were both key figures in the foundation of the new nation's statutory structure.

Andrew Fisher’s politics were formed at the coalface. At the age of 10, he became one of many boys working in Scottish mines. He was still a coalminer when he migrated to Queensland 13 years later.

Fisher was a founding member of both the Labor Party in Queensland and of the federal parliamentary Labor Party. He held the House of Representatives seat of Wide Bay from 1901 until 1915.

When Fisher was Prime Minister, a number of important projects were undertaken:

  • Royal Australian Navy established
  • Commonwealth Bank set up
  • the Northern Territory of South Australia transferred to the Commonwealth
  • federal capital of Canberra founded
  • construction of the trans-Australian railway line linking Perth to the other capitals started

As well as introducing maternity allowances, Fisher acknowledged the need for greater political equality for women.

Tall and handsome, Andrew Fisher always retained his distinctive Scots accent.

Did you know?

Andrew Fisher:

  • was the first prime minister to hold a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, in 1910
  • founded the Commonwealth Bank in 1912
  • with his government, named wattle as Australia’s national flower and placed it on Australia’s Coat of Arms
  • contested the prime ministerial office with his main political opponent, Alfred Deakin, for 10 of Australia’s first 15 years
  • was married to Margaret Fisher, who led the Australian group in the British suffrage march in London, 1911

In this section: Andrew Fisher

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Learning Resources

Original records and material to help students with their research.

Record

A typed copy of the Maternity Allowance Act 1912 with the British coat of arms on the front page.

Maternity Allowance Act 1912

The Maternity Allowance Act 1912 provided a payment of five pounds to new mothers—the equivalent of two weeks wages.

Record

Commemorative framed image of the laying of the foundation stones in Canberra.

Commemorative framed image of the laying of the foundation stones in Canberra

A sepia-toned photograph showing a wide view of the ceremonial founding of the new federal capital city, Canberra.

Record

Radio message of best wishes from Prime Minister Fisher.

Best wishes for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition – Prime Minister Andrew Fisher to Douglas Mawson

This is a radio message from Prime Minister Andrew Fisher, sending his best wishes to Douglas Mawson during the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Records about Andrew Fisher

View selected National Archives' records about Andrew Fisher

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Alfred Deakin

Alfred Deakin

1903–1904
1905–1908
1909–1910

Portrait of Joseph Cook

Joseph Cook

1913–1914

Portrait of William Hughes

William Hughes

1915–1923

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

Explore the stories of each prime minister's time in office through official and personal records held by the National Archives.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The National Archives of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

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