WHITLAM Harry Frederick Ernest

Position
Crown Solicitor
Years active
1936–1949
Portrait of Harry Whitlam - From the AGS collection of former Crown Solicitors.

HARRY FREDERICK ERNEST (FRED) WHITLAM

Born 3 April 1884 at Prahran, Victoria. Educated Armadale State School and Wesley College. Victorian Public Service 1901–11, Department of Lands and Survey and Crown Solicitor's Office. Appointed to Commonwealth Department of the Treasury 1911. Graduated LLB University of Melbourne 1914. Appointed to newly created Clerk position (professional division) Crown Solicitor's Office 1913. Transferred to Sydney office 1918. Admitted barrister and solicitor of the High Court 1920. Appointed Deputy Crown Solicitor 1921. Moved to new federal capital in Canberra as Assistant Crown Solicitor in 1927. Significant issues as Crown Solicitor from 1936 included national insurance initiative, 1944 referendum on Commonwealth powers, bank nationalisation litigation and legal work relating to the Second World War. Accompanied Australian delegation to Paris Peace Conference 1946, arguing for international human rights laws. Retired 2 April 1949. Continued involvement in United Nations matters as adviser to Department of External Affairs. Wide-ranging contributions to the Canberra community, especially to educational institutions, cultural activities and Christian associations. Died aged 77 on 8 December 1961, in Canberra.

A biographical profile for this author is being prepared for inclusion on the site.

Opinions by this author

Opinion Number Subject Opinion Date
Opinion Number. 1767

Subject: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA: STATUS AS…

Opinion Number. 1770

WHALINGSCOPE OF COMMONWEALTH’S EXTERNAL…

Opinion Number. 1787

ELECTIONSSENATOR ELECT: DISQUALIFICATION FROM…

Opinion Number. 1788

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSIONWHETHER…

Opinion Number. 1790

SHIPPINGWHETHER COMMONWEALTH LAWS APPLY TO…

Opinion Number. 1824

ROYAL COMMISSIONCOMMONWEALTH PUBLIC SERVICE:…

Opinion Number. 1842

SUBSIDY TO FARMERSWHETHER COMMONWEALTH HAS…

Opinion Number. 1843

TERRITORIES: HEARD AND MACDONALD…

Opinion Number. 1844

PETROLEUM PRODUCTSCOMMONWEALTH POWER TO…

Opinion Number. 1847

WHALINGPROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF WHALING…