Charles Barnes (Australian politician)

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Charles Edward "Ceb" Barnes (13 November 1901 – 24 October 1998) was an Australian politician from the Country Party. He served as the Member of Parliament for McPherson from 1958 to 1972 and held key government roles as Minister for Territories (1963–1968) and then Minister for External Territories (1968–1972).

Early life
Barnes was born in Einasleigh, Queensland, to J. H. S. Barnes and Sarah. He grew up on farms near Hughenden and Warwick and was educated in Sydney. He left school at 17 to work for the Union Trustee Company. A cousin of Sir Michael Bruxner, a founder and long-time leader of the Country Party, Barnes became involved with the party from a young age.

Business and wartime service
In 1939, Barnes started a small gold mining venture, reopening two old mines on the Palmer Goldfield in North Queensland. The operation closed in 1941 because of wartime fuel restrictions. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942, serving in Australia and New Guinea and reaching the rank of Flying Officer before his discharge in 1944.

Postwar life
After the war, Barnes bought Canning Downs station from his father and built a successful thoroughbred horse breeding business. He was active in the community, serving with the Queensland Turf Club and as president of the Warwick Show and Rodeo Society. His horses achieved notable success, including Basha Felika winning the 1951 Caulfield Cup and Tails finishing third in the 1971 Melbourne Cup. His success with horses helped boost his popularity in his electorate.

Political career
Barnes was elected to Parliament in 1958, replacing Arthur Fadden in McPherson. He was re-elected in 1958 and 1961 and became Minister for External Territories in 1963 (a title later changed to Minister for Territories, then Minister for External Territories in 1968). He served in Cabinet under several prime ministers and played a role in the move toward Papua New Guinea’s independence and in Indigenous Australian issues. He also chaired a select committee into the grievances of the Yolngu people after the Yirrkala bark petitions and briefly served as chairman of Nabalco’s board over bauxite leases.

Later life and legacy
In 1964, Barnes was seen as a potential successor to Country Party leader John McEwen, who led the party until 1971. Barnes retired from Parliament at the 1972 election and returned to running Canning Downs. He died in 1998 at age 96, survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters and one son. The Ceb Barnes Plate at Eagle Farm Race Track is named in his honor. Known as "Ceb" for his initials, he was remembered as a big, calm country gentleman with a keen eye for horses.