Former
Speakers

Sir John Emanuel Mackey
1863-1924
Speaker: 1917-1924
Legislative Assembly: 1902-1924

Born at Sandhurst in Victoria, Mackey first worked as a printer, then matriculated in 1883 and paid for his university studies by working at the Government Printing Office and as a tutor. He won prizes and scholarships at the University of Melbourne, and was called to the bar in 1890. He lectured in philosophy and law at the University of Melbourne, and in classics and history at the Working Men's College.

In 1902 he married Stella Watson Bates, with whom he had five children, and entered the Legislative Assembly as the Member for Gippsland West, a seat he retained until his death. Between 1904 and 1909 he was a member of the Bent Ministry as a Minister Without Portfolio, Minister of Lands, Chief Secretary and Minister of Labour, and Solicitor-General. From 1912 to 1914 he was a member of the Committee of Public Accounts, and from 1914 to 1917 he was Chairman of Committees. Generally, he was a free trade supporter and was identified at various times with the Ministerialist, Liberal, Nationalist and Economy parties. He was also Chairman of the Royal Commission into Railways and Tramways in 1910-11, and a member of the Railways Electrification Committee in 1912.

Mackey became Speaker in 1917 and retained the position until his death at Nayook in 1924.