Background
Baker was born in Leyburn, Queensland, Australia on 30 May 1873.
Baker was born in Leyburn, Queensland, Australia on 30 May 1873.
Educated in private schools in Queensland, Baker became a state school teacher for 10 years before serving as an Inspector for Schools for a further 20 years. Baker was narrowly beaten in the 1943 federal election by Charles Adermann of the Australian Country Party. In Parliament, Baker called for a moratorium on farm foreclosures during World World War World War II He also argued for the need to maintain a sufficient workforce in rural employment to ensure the continuity of primary production in support of the war effort.
Baker supported the placement of refugee doctors in rural communities, stating that when large numbers of local doctors were enlisting in the armed services, suitably qualified refugees were needed to meet the health care needs in smaller country towns.
After losing his parliamentary seat, Baker became a grazier in Beaudesert, Queensland. He died on 2 June 1959 and was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery.
He was an outspoken supporter of the National Security Acting and the Government"s right to use whatever financial means necessary to defend Australia during the war.
Baker"s son, Francis Matthew John Baker served as a Member of Parliament from 1931 to 1939.