Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macalister, Arthur
MACALISTER, ARTHUR (1818–1883), Australian politician, born in Glasgow in 1818, was brought up to the profession of a solicitor. He emigrated to Australia in 1850, and settled down to practice in Ipswich. But he soon found a congenial field in local politics. He supported the project for the separation of Queensland from New South Wales, and when the separation was effected, he took his seat for Ipswich on 10 May 1860 in the first parliament of the new colony, and at once became chairman of committees and one of the most prominent public men in the colony.
In the second Queensland parliament, in the government of which Mr. (now Sir Robert) Herbert, afterwards permanent under-secretary of state for the colonies, was the head, Macalister took office on 21 March 1862 as secretary for lands and works; and on 1 Feb. 1866, when Mr. Herbert left office, he became premier, still holding the same portfolio. On 20 July of the same year he resigned, on the refusal of the governor to assent to his scheme for the issue of legal tender notes. The difficulty was soon adjusted, and on 7 Aug. he returned as premier and colonial secretary, remaining in power for another year. During the session of 1868 he was chairman of committees in the assembly, and from 28 Jan. 1869, when the Lilley ministry came in, till 3 May 1870, he acted as secretary of works and goldfields. He was elected speaker for the session of 1870–1. But in the 1871 election he lost his seat, and was out of parliament for two sessions. At the end of 1872 he was again elected for Ipswich, and on 8 Jan. 1874 became for the second time colonial secretary, and the third time premier. He continued in power till 5 June 1876, combining for a few weeks with his other duties those of secretary for public works and mines.
Shortly before his retirement from office Macalister received the decoration of C.M.G. From 22 June 1876 till 16 Nov. 1881, he was agent-general for the colony of Queensland in London. The prominent part Macalister took in the politics of Queensland was due to his perseverance and devotion to the life, rather than to any commanding ability.
He retired to the neighbourhood of Glasgow in 1881, and died there on 23 March 1883. He was married, and left grown-up children residing in Queensland.
[Private information; Mennell's Dictionary of Australasian Biography; Queensland Parliamentary Debates.]