Fisher, Andrew (1862–1928)

Australian Labor politician. Born in Scotland, he went to Australia in 1885. He entered the Australian parliament in 1901 and became Labor Party leader in 1907. He was prime minister 1908–09, 1910–13, and 1914–15, and Australian high commissioner to the UK 1916–21.

He left school at an early age and worked in the coalmines before migrating. A teetotal Presbyterian, he introduced welfare reforms, including invalidity pensions and maternity allowances, and began the transcontinental railway. An opponent to conscription to assist the Imperial war effort, he resigned as party leader in 1915 in favour of Billy Hughes.