David Fairbairn (politician)

The Honourable Sir David Fairbairn KBE, DFC
Minister for Defence
In office 13 August 1971 – 5 December 1972
Prime Minister	William McMahon
Preceded by	John Gorton
Succeeded by	Lance Barnard
Minister for Education and Science
In office 22 March 1971 – 20 August 1971
Prime Minister	William McMahon
Preceded by	Nigel Bowen
Succeeded by	Malcolm Fraser
Leader of the House
In office 26 January 1966 – 28 October 1966
Leader	Harold Holt
Preceded by	Harold Holt
Succeeded by	Billy Snedden
Minister for National Development
In office 10 June 1964 – 12 November 1969
Prime Minister	Robert Menzies Harold Holt John McEwen John Gorton
Preceded by	Bill Spooner
Succeeded by	Reg Swartz
Minister for Air
In office 27 July 1962 – 10 June 1964
Prime Minister	Robert Menzies
Preceded by	Les Bury
Succeeded by	Peter Howson
Member of the Australian Parliament for Farrer
In office 10 December 1949 – 11 November 1975
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Wal Fife
Personal details
Born	(1917-03-03)3 March 1917 Claygate, Surrey, England
Died	1 June 1994(1994-06-01) (aged 77) Canberra, Australia
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse	Ruth
Relations	George Fairbairn (grandfather) Edmund Jowett (grandfather) James Fairbairn (uncle)
Children	Three daughters
Alma mater	University of Cambridge
Occupation	RAAF officer
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1939–1945
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Unit	21st Light Horse Riverina Regiment (1939–41) No. 79 Squadron (1941–45)
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross

Sir David Eric Fairbairn, KBE, DFC (3 March 1917 – 1 June 1994) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served in the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1975. He held ministerial office as Minister for Air (1962–1964), National Development (1964–1969), Education and Science (1971), and Defence (1971–1972).