Representatives < Jim Cope
Jim Cope
James Francis “Jim” Cope, (1907– 1999) was a member of federal parliament and Speaker in the House of Representatives for two years 1973–75.
Born in Surry Hills, Cope became a glassworker and rose to Federal Treasurer of the Glassworkers’ Union. In 1955 he was elected to the seat of Cook in South Sydney, for the ALP. When Cook was abolished, Cope won Watson, which he held until he transferred to the new seat of Sydney, which he held until 1975.
In February 1973, Cope was appointed the first Labor Speaker since 1950. On the second anniversary of this elevation, he resigned because the government refused to support him when he named (censured) Clyde Cameron. Cope retired from parliament at the election.
Jim Cope died in 1999.
Mr Cope, by Alan Moir