George Leake

George Leake (1856-1902) was the son of prominent Perth barrister George Walpole Leake. He worked as a solicitor in Australia with his father before becoming Crown Solicitor from 1883 to 1894. George Leake entered the Legislative Assembly in 1894 as member for Albany and from 1895 to 1900 was Leader of the Opposition to the Forrest government. A strong supporter of Federation, he was a Western Australian delegate to the Conventions of 1897-98. Having resigned his Albany seat to pursue business interests, Leake re-entered politics as Member for West Perth at the election of 1901. In a Parliament largely composed of independent members he became Premier in May 1901 at the head of the former Opposition but without a firm majority. In November Leake had to resign after a no-confidence motion was carried. Until 1947 new Ministers had to resign and face special by-elections, and supporters of Leake stood against the new Premier Morgans and his Cabinet. Three new ministers were defeated, Morgans resigned and Leake returned as Premier in December 1901. Although his government had clearer support he died suddenly in June 1902, so far the only Premier to die in office.