Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Bent, Thomas
BENT, Sir THOMAS (1838–1909), prime minister of Victoria, born at Penrith in New South Wales on 7 Dec. 1838, was the eldest son in a family of four sons and two daughters. His father, having lost money in Sydney, came to Victoria in 1849 and began life again, first as a contractor in a small way of business, then as a market gardener, near McKinnon in the Brighton suburb of Melbourne; here he soon managed to build and run an inn called the Gardeners' Arms. From the age of eleven Bent worked with his father, and for education depended on his own efforts. Characterised from youth by cheery 'push' and enterprise, he started a small market garden in 1859, taking his own produce weekly to market in a rough cart. In 1861 he became rate-collector for Brighton.
In 1862 Bent made his entry into public life by becoming a member of the Moorabbin shire council, of which he was afterwards president on twelve occasions. In 1871 he entered the Victoria parliament for Brighton, defeating, to general surprise, George Higinbotham [q. v. Suppl. I], one of the greatest public figures in Australia. He represented the constituency with one short interval throughout his career. In 1874 he resigned his position as rate-collector on being also elected to the Brighton borough council, to the business of which he devoted himself despite political calls. Gradually he made his way in parliament and became the life and soul of the attack on (Sir) Graham Berry [q. v. Suppl. II], and a leader of the 'party of combat.' As whip for the opposition in 1877 Bent prevented the Berry government from getting a majority for their reform bill, and eventually in January 1880 brought about the fall of that ministry.
In March 1880 Bent joined the ministry of James Service as vice-president of the board of public works, but went out with his colleagues in August of the same year. In July 1881 he resumed the same position under the title of commissioner of railways and president of the board of land and works in the ministry of Sir Bryan O'Loghlen. In this capacity he was connected with the 'octopus' railway bill; and he was to some extent discredited by his tendency to over-sanguine advertisement. O'Loghlen's government lasted till March 1883, when for a time Bent led the opposition, but his temperament was little suited to such a task and he was displaced by a more conciliatory leader. In October 1887 he was defeated by one vote as candidate for the office of speaker of the assembly. Almost immediately afterwards he was elected chairman of the first railways standing committee, and in that capacity for two years did much solid work. In he was elected speaker, and held the office, for which he had few qualifications, for nearly two years. During these years 1887-94 he with six others was engaged in the 'land boom,' which at first seemed likely to give him a huge fortune and in left him practically a ruined man. Thrown out of the assembly in 1894, Bent retired to Port Fairy, and devoted himself for the next six years to dairy farming. During that period he was defeated ignominiously at South Melbourne. But in 1900 he was elected for his old constituency, Brighton. On 10 June 1902 he joined William Hill Irvine's ministry as minister for railways and works, and though on 6 Feb. 1903 he parted with the railway work to another minister he bore the brunt of the great railway strike of May 1903. On Irvine's retirement Bent became prime minister (16 Feb. 1904). His ministry lasted over four years, and in that period passed many measures aimed at improving the conditions of life amongst manual workers and their economic position.
In 1907, after a serious illness, Bent paid a long visit to England, where he completed the arrangements for the new Victoria agency building, Melbourne House, Strand. Returning in August 1907, he still held the reins for over a year; but on 1 Dec. 1908 was defeated on a vote of want of confidence. At his request the governor, Sir T. G. Carmichael, dissolved parliament. Bent was defeated at the polls, and a commission was appointed by the new government to investigate charges made against him on the hustings. Out of this ordeal he emerged with general credit. But the strain of work proved fatal. He died on 17 Sept. 1909. A state funeral was accorded him; he was buried at Brighton cemetery.
Bent was made a K.C.M.G. in 1908. Rough and uncultivated, shrewd and strong, Bent was 'one of the most interesting and remarkable figures in the public life of Australia.' At his public meetings he would break off an argument to sing or recite, indulging in 'execrable songs, purely Bentian jokes, extraordinary reminiscences' all prepared to serve as 'impromptus.' In parliament he displayed unusual power in gauging the temper and feelings of members. The keynote of his policy as premier was opposition to the labour party. Unorthodox and even unprincipled in his methods, and apt to take the shortest road to his end, he always boldly accepted the responsibility for his actions. He showed courage in all concerns of life.
Bent married twice. His first wife (born Hall) died childless. His second wife (born Huntley) died in 1893, leaving one daughter.
Bent Street in Sydney appears to have been named after the father as owner of a corner lot (Melbourne Argus, 18 Sept. 1909).
[Melbourne Age, Melbourne Argus, 18 Sept. 1909 (both of these papers have a rough portrait); The Times, 18 Sept. 1909; Mennell's Dict. of Australasian Biog.; John's Notable Australians.]