Neville Kenneth Wran (born October 11, 1926) was the Premier of New South Wales in 1976 until 1986. He was National President of the Australian Labor Party from 1980 to 1986 and chairman of the Lionel Murphy Foundation, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) from 1986 to 1991.
Wran was educated at Nicholson Street Public School, Balmain, Fort St Boys' High and the University of Sydney he was admitted as a solicitor in 1951, called to the Bar in 1957, and became Queen's Counsel in 1960.
Wran was a Labor premier at a time when most Australian governments were held by conservative coalitions. During Wran's 10 years as Premier of New South Wales, the government embarked on a program of reform and change. Priorities were public transport, the Environment, consumer protection and job creation.
In 1983, Wran faced the Street Royal Commision over claims by the ABC current affairs show Four Corners which claimed he had tried to influence the majestry over the 1977 commital of Kevin Humphries who had been charged with missaporation of funds,and his Corrective Services minister Rex Jackson was jailed in 1987 for accepting bribes for the early release of prisoners.
Wran resigned from the New South Wales Parliament on 4 July 1986 after holding office longer than any other Premier in the history of NSW government, although current NSW Premier, Bob Carr is on track to eclipse that record.
Wran has since raised his voice for the Australian Republican Movement.
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