Clarrie Martin

Major Clarence Edward Martin QC (2 February 1900 – 5 September 1953) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1930 until 1932 and from 1939 until his death in 1953.

He defeated the sitting Country Party member Albert Reid and his victory helped Labor form a government under Premier Jack Lang.

Within a few months of Martin's entry into parliament, the Industrial Labor Party was re-admitted into the ALP caucus and Lang was replaced as leader by William McKell.

The Federal Executive of the Labor Party intervened in the NSW Branch to convene a unity conference, which effectively removed Lang and his followers from control.

[4][5][6] At the caucus meeting on 21 September, Martin was defeated in his bid by the Secretary for Public Works and Local Government, Joseph Cahill, 21 votes to 20, but took on the new cabinet post of Minister for Co-operative Societies.