Magnus Cormack

Sir Magnus Cameron Cormack KBE (12 February 1906 – 26 November 1994) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served multiple terms as a Senator for Victoria (1951–1953, 1962–1978), including as President of the Senate from 1971 to 1974.

Cormack was born in the Scottish Highlands and came to Australia as a child. He grew up in Adelaide and worked as a production manager with Holden for several years, later farming near Apsley, Victoria. During World War II he served in the New Guinea campaign and attained the rank of major. Cormack's first term in the Senate lasted only two years, during which he notably opposed the Menzies Government's attempt to ban the Communist Party. After several unsuccessful candidacies, he was re-elected at the 1961 federal election, becoming known for his committee work and support of John Gorton. Cormack was elected to the Senate presidency in 1971 and retained the position for the first term of the Whitlam government. After leaving politics he served as chairman of radio station 3XY. The proceeds from the sale of the radio licence were subsequently used to establish the Cormack Foundation, an investment vehicle for the Liberal Party.