7 lessons on how to be successful (by Victoria’s most corrupt premier)

Today is my birthday and I share this honour with one of Victoria’s most controversial premiers — Sir. Thomas Bent.

Even if you haven’t heard of Thomas Bent, you’ve probably heard of the Melbourne suburb that takes his name — Bentleigh.

Bent was one of the most interesting politicians in Victoria’s history. Bent was not only the 22nd Premier of Victoria but was also elected Mayor of Brighton 9 times. Bent’s political career is coloured with numerous scandals and allegations of corruption.

Bent held considerable power at his peak. At one time Bent was a member in the Legislative Assembly, member of the Brighton council, member of the Moorabbin council, largest land-owner in Brighton and one of the main employers in the area.

Without further ado, I present 7 lessons on how to be successful, straight from the Thomas Bent playbook.

1. How to convince a committee of your ideas

In his early adult years, Bent was a councillor on his local road board. When he tried and failed to award a road contract to his father (who I’m sure totally deserved it), he realised he needed some fellow councillors that supported him. Who better for the job than his.. brother! The fact his brother didn’t have any land (a requirement for election) was no big deal and he simply added his brother as a co-owner to his father’s land title. A few weeks later a vacancy on the board magically appeared and there were now two Bents on the board.

2. How to get elected to parliament

Bent had a job as a local rates (tax) collector — a great job if you want to have some sway with the people. If you wanted to gain the vote of a few influential people, perhaps just gloss over that £1,500 worth of rates that they owe you… at least until after the election!

Another way to increase your number of votes, is to increase the number of total voters in the electorate. The way to prove that voters lived in the electorate was to check whether they had been paying their rates. Bent conveniently collected rates from his supporters but skipped over others who might not have been on his side. Bent may have also stacked the voting rolls by utilising ‘special voters’ certificates which were meant for new residents not yet on the rolls.

3. How to keep your seat in parliament

In parliament, Bent had quite a serendipitous role — the Minister for Railways. He used this position to sure up Government support by commissioning railways to most of the key electorates in the city. He also used this practice, otherwise known as ‘pork barrelling’ to prioritise the funding and construction of tramlines in his own electorate.

4. How to be a successful business owner and property investor

In prioritising railway line to his local electorate, Bent also profited personally. As a large landowner in area, his property values skyrocketed with the added transport connectivity. In his second stint as Railways minister, Bent organised for the route of the new St. Kilda to Brighton tramline to pass directly by his property, thus increasing the value of his land.

Materials for construction of the railway lines were purchased from paddocks owned by Bent himself and there is also evidence that he gained financially from awarding contracts to railway suppliers — aka kickbacks.

5. How to make a lot of money, quick!

In 1884, Bent bought a property in Exhibition Street for £1,488 and sold it again on the same day for £2,000 — a 34% return and over $80,000 in today’s money. Not bad for a day’s work!

6. How to hold on to your money at any cost!

Unfortunately, with the depression of the 1890s, Bent suffered large financial losses. Ever the crafty one, Bent is said to have transferred his properties over to a simpleton market gardener, who then became liable for their debts — over £40,000.

7. How to become immortalised forever

After Bent’s death, a statue was commissioned to celebrate the ex-Premier. The £1,000 statue was paid for by public subscription and the monument was placed in the middle of the Nepean Highway in Brighton. The statue stood there for many years and each year at AFL Grand Final time, ‘Tommy Bent’ was dressed up in the scarf and hat of the winning team.

Happy Birthday to Tommy and Happy Birthday to me.