Keith Ewert

Who was Keith Ewert?

Keith Walter Wilson Ewert was an Australian politician. Educated at Melbourne High School and the University of Melbourne, he was an accountant before entering politics. In 1952, Ewert was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Flinders, unexpectedly winning the by-election for that seat caused by the death of Rupert Ryan and becoming only the second Labor MP for Flinders. In 1954, he was defeated by Liberal Robert Lindsay.

In 1955, 1958 and 1961, Ewert was the Labor candidate for the nearby seat of Bruce, losing each time to Liberal Billy Snedden. On the third attempt, Ewert actually led in the first count, but was defeated by DLP preferences. This outcome in the DLP's heartland was a critical factor in what was, at the time, the closest election in Australian history. Had Ewert won, his victory would have been enough to clinch the election for Labor. As it was, the best it could hope for was a hung parliament.

After his final defeat, Ewert resumed his accountancy practice. He died in 1989.