The American Australian Association sincerely mourns the passing of The Hon. Christopher John (Chris) Hurford AO on November 21, 2020.
Chris Hurford studied at the London School of Economics and worked as an accountant before he entered parliament in 1969, as Member for the House of Representatives for Adelaide. He held this seat until his retirement in 1987.
Hurford’s political career included serving as a Labor Shadow Minister for seven years and a Minister of the Hawke Government for five years. Hurford was the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs between 1984 and 1987 and the Minister for Community Services in 1987. One of Hurford’s major contributions was developing a skills-based immigration policy to help build the economy.
Hurford resigned from politics in 1987 and served as Australia’s Consul General in New York for four years. After retirement, Hurford continued his interest in political matters, particularly Australian Constitutional Reform.
He was the much loved husband of Lorna (dec), father of Alex, David, Philippa, Kate and Richard, father-in-law of Marg, Jack, Mark and Emma, and grandfather of Sam, Georgia, Timmy, Tom, Tess, Clare, Matt and Charlie.
