Booth, Ken (Kenneth George), 1926 – 1988

Kenneth George Booth (1926- ), teacher and parliamentarian, was born at Kurri Kurri. His father George Booth was MLA for Newcastle 1925 to 1927 and for Kurri Kurri 1927 to 1960. Ken Booth was educated at Maitland Boys' High School and Armidale and Sydney Teachers' Colleges. He was employed as a physical education teacher, a lecturer at Sydney Teachers' College and an administrator in various organisations from 1947 to 1960.

In 1960 Ken Booth was pre-selected by the Australian Labor Party for the seat of Kurri Kurri following the death of the sitting member, his father George Booth. He was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in October 1960. He held the seat until 1968. In 1968, after an electoral re-distribution, he was elected to the seat of Wallsend which he held until his death in 1988. Booth held the ministerial portfolios of Sport Recreation and Tourism (1976-1980) and Treasurer (1981-1988).