Background
McGrath was born in Chicago. He was the son of a publican and migrated with his family to Australia at age 9.
McGrath was born in Chicago. He was the son of a publican and migrated with his family to Australia at age 9.
He was educated at Street Aloysius" College (Sydney) and initially worked as an electrician.
The Honorary Early and Personal He became an official of the Electrical Trades Union but left the industry to become a hotel owner. McGrath became active in community organizations in the Rockdale area and was elected as an alderman on Bexley Municipal Council from 1934 till 1941. He was the deputy mayor in 1939-1941.
He was eventually elected to the New South Wales parliament as the Labor member for new seat of Rockdale at the 1941 election.
He retained the seat for the next 5 elections and retired in 1959. McGrath held ministerial positions in the government of Joseph Cahill.
He was a minister without portfolio in 1953-1954, the Minister for Housing in 1954-1956 and the Secretary for Public Works from 1956 until his retirement. In this role he was responsible for the early construction work on the Sydney Opera House.
He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and held a number of ministerial positions including Minister for Housing.
