Bill Ashley (politician)

The Honourable Bill Ashley
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
In office 19 December 1949 – 11 June 1951
Preceded by	Walter Cooper
Succeeded by	Nick McKenna
Leader of the Government in the Senate
In office 17 June 1946 – 19 December 1949
Preceded by	Richard Keane
Succeeded by	Neil O'Sullivan
Senator for New South Wales
In office 23 October 1937 – 27 June 1958
Preceded by	Guy Arkins
Succeeded by	James Ormonde
Personal details
Born	(1881-09-20)20 September 1881 near Hay, New South Wales, Australia
Died	27 June 1958(1958-06-27) (aged 76) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Theresa Maloney ​ (m. 1921)​
Occupation	Tobacconist

William Patrick Ashley (20 September 1881 – 27 June 1958) was an Australian politician. He was a Senator for New South Wales from 1937 until his death in 1958, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was a cabinet minister in the ALP governments between 1941 and 1949, serving as Postmaster-General (1941–1945), Minister for Information (1941–1943), Supply and Shipping (1945–1948), and Shipping and Fuel (1948–1950). He was the party's Senate leader from 1946 to 1951.