Background
A Tasmanian by birth, raised in Launceston, Barnard was the son of Claude Barnard, who was a Labor Member of Parliament from Tasmania from 1934 to 1949 and a Minister in the Chifley government.
Diplomat politician prime minister
A Tasmanian by birth, raised in Launceston, Barnard was the son of Claude Barnard, who was a Labor Member of Parliament from Tasmania from 1934 to 1949 and a Minister in the Chifley government.
Launceston Technology College.
He was a teacher before being elected in 1954 to the House of Representatives for the Division of Bass, his father"s old seat. Foreign the first two weeks of Whitlam"s government, before the full electoral result was known, Whitlam and Barnard formed a two-man ministry, known as a duumvirate, to govern until a full ministry could be announced. Barnard held 14 portfolios including Defence and Immigration.
Following the announcement of a complete ministry, Barnard served as Minister for Defence.
Following the 1974 election, Barnard lost the Labor Deputy Leadership to Doctor Jim Cairns and shortly thereafter he retired from politics. Prime Minister Gough Whitlam appointed Barnard Ambassador to Norway, Finland, and Sweden in 1975.
Bass was resoundingly lost to the Liberals at the ensuing by-election, a shock result that was seen by many as the beginning of the end for the Whitlam government, which was dismissed five months later.
Jt. Public Accounts Committee 1956-1958.
Married 2nd Jill Newton.