Preceded by William Baxter Preceded by New seat Nationality Australian Children Andrea West | Succeeded by Seat abolished Political party National Party | |
Full Name William Bernard Kaus Born 24 May 1923Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Australia ( 1923-05-24 ) Party National Party of Australia | ||
William Bernard "Bill" Kaus (24 May 1923 – 20 December 2006) was a businessman and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
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Biography
Kaus was born at Kangaroo Point, Queensland, to parents William Rahman Kaus and his wife Doreen May (née Baker). He was involved in the family business, Kaus Bros Bedding Manufacturers.
In World War Two he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was assigned as a Flying officer to the 161 Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and France's highest honour, the Legion of Honour in 2005.
On the 12th June 1948 Kaus married Neth Florette Hutchinson and together had two sons and two daughters (one of whom was the federal MP Andrea West). He died in December 2006 in Brisbane and was cremated at the Mt Thompson Crematorium.
Public career
Kaus, for the Liberal Party, won the seat of Hawthorne at the 1966 Queensland state election. He was the member for Hawthorne until it was abolished before the 1972 state election. Kaus then represented the seat of Mansfield from 1972 until 1986 state election. In 1983, he switch parties and joined the National Party after losing preselection by the Liberals.
Kaus had many roles in Parliament and his party including:
Kaus was a keen sportsman, especially in cricket, football, shooting and bowls. He was an inaugural Member of the Queensland Cricketers Club and President of the Queensland Rifle Association. He was also responsible for the introduction of yellow rain coats for schoolchildren and the Lollipop Road Safety personnel.