Career
Born in Cavan, Ireland, he was a fitter and turner before entering politics. In Australia he was a union education officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers" Union. In 1984, he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Labor Senator for Western Australia.
A one-time convenor of the Left faction, McKiernan was the Labor Caucus" returning officer for the Hawke versus Keating leadership ballot.
He remained in the Senate until his retirement in 2002.
