Hon Sir Frederick Holder KCMG

Sir Frederick William Holder KCMG

12 May 1850

Pre-Party System

Former Member

Burra

House of Assembly

22 March 1887

Sir Frederick Holder took the seat of Burra in 1887 on a financial platform, this early concern with the finances of South Australia foreshadowing his successful Treasurership in the Cockburn ministry in 1889. After a two year stint as Leader of the Opposition, Holder became Premier in mid-1892. However, his leadership was tenuous, partly due to the severe financial situation caused by the drought, and the Holder government fell in October of the same year. In 1894 Holder became Treasurer again, this time in Kingston's ministry where his financial talents balanced the budget despite the ongoing drought and ensuing depression. The founding of the State Bank of South Australia, introduction of death duties, and tax reform were legacies of his time as Treasurer.

Holder returned as Premier in 1899, retaining his position as Treasurer; one notable consequence of his leadership was the introduction of standard time throughout South Australia. Holder had been active in planning Federation, and in 1901 resigned as Premier to take up a seat in the House of Representatives, where he held the position of Speaker for eight years. He was aided in this role by his 'courtesy, impartiality and great knowledge of Parliamentary procedure' and was respected by all members of the House. Holder's customary disregard for his health was to prove his undoing: in 1909, whilst Parliament was in session, he fell unconscious from the Speaker's chair and died later that day of a cerebral haemorrhage. He was given a state funeral in Adelaide.

Member of the House of Representatives for South Australia 1901-03, and for Wakefield 1903-09
Speaker of the House of Representatives 1901-09

A portrait of Holder, by George A. J. Webb, unveiled in 1918, hangs in Parliament House.

23 July 1909