New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian

Milton Morris AO

Victor P Taffa

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today paid tribute to long-serving Minister for Transport Milton Morris AO who has died aged 94 years.

“I am saddened by the passing of former New South Wales Minister for Transport, Milton Morris AO. On behalf of the people of New South Wales, I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr. Morris’ family.” Premier Berejiklian said.

“Milton Morris was a tireless advocate for his community as the Member for Maitland, and was a giant of the Parliament of New South Wales and the Liberal Party.”

Milton Morris served as:

• Minister for Decentralisation and Development from 23 January 1976-14 May 1976,
• Minister for Forests from 3 January 1975-30 June 1975,
• Minister for Lands from 3 January 1975-30 June 1975,
• Minister for Transport from 13 May 1965-3 January 1975,
• Member for Maitland from 3 March 1956-29 August 1980.

During World War II, he served with the Royal Australian Navy and the Volunteer Defence Corps.

As Minister for Transport, Milton Morris was instrumental in the introduction of road safety initiatives we take for granted today, such as compulsory seatbelts and breathalysers.

Road safety measures introduced in more recent years, such as ‘Towards Zero’, are grounded in the pioneering work of Milton Morris.

Son of a railway guard, Milton Morris forever left a mark on Sydney by reviving Dr. John Bradfield’s vision of an Eastern Suburbs Railway, initiating the planning and building of this transformative project.

Dr. John Bradfield designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Metropolitan Railways including the Eastern Suburbs Railway which opened on 23 June 1979.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“During my tenure in the transport portfolio, Milton Morris was generous with his time in providing me with wise counsel and practical advice. His indubitable legacy is the thousands of lives his road safety reforms saved.” Premier Berejiklian said.

Milton Morris was born on 2 April 1924 and died on 27 February 2019.

 

Abbreviations:

AO                  Order of Australia Medal