Ben Chifley was born in Bathurst, New South Wales, and was largely self-educated.

He joined the New South Wales Government railways in 1903, became a locomotive driver and was active in his local union. His political involvement increased following his victimisation by management after the 1917 railway strike First elected to a Labor seat in parliament in 1928, Chifley lost his seat in 1931, but was re-elected in 1940.

Chifley was Treasurer in the Curtin Labor government in 1941 and was a prime mover of the economic organisation for the war. Chifley was elected leader of the Labor Party after John Curtin died in July 1945. Ben Chifley was a committed centralist.

As Prime Minister he introduced national projects such as the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme and the assisted immigration program. He also pushed through legislation that enabled the Commonwealth to become the collector of income tax and sought nationalisation of the private banks so that the federal government could have more control over the economy.

Chifley lost office at the 1949 federal election, after his attempt to nationalise the banks. In Opposition, Chifley was against RG Menzies' proposal to ban the Communist Party - a major issue at the federal election of April 1951. Two months after the Labor Party was again defeated, Ben Chifley died on 13 June 1951. From 1928 to 1931 he held the federal seat of Macquarie for the Labor Party.

He lost his seat in 1931 and was re-elected in 1940. Chifley became party leader and prime minister following Curtin's death in 1945, also maintaining the treasury portfolio.

The key features of his post-war reconstruction program were full employment plus and expanded immigration scheme to supplement Australia's small workplace and the institution of the welfare state. His government also established the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, Trans-Australia Airlines and the Australian National University.

Chifley's government lost power in the election of 1949.

He remained as opposition leader until his death.