Bill Kaus

William Bernard Kaus (24 May 1923 – 20 December 2006) was a businessman and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Kaus was born at Kangaroo Point, Queensland, to parents William Rahman Kaus and his wife Doreen May (née Baker).

He was involved in the family business, Kaus Bros Bedding Manufacturers.

In World War II he joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was assigned as a Flying officer to the 161 Squadron.

On 12 June 1948 Kaus married Neth Florette Hutchinson and together had two sons and two daughters (one of whom was the federal MP Andrea West).

Kaus, for the Liberal Party, won the seat of Hawthorne at the 1966 Queensland state election.

He was the member for Hawthorne until it was abolished before the 1972 state election.

Kaus then represented the seat of Mansfield from 1972 until 1986 state election.

In 1983, he switch parties and joined the National Party after losing preselection by the Liberals.

Kaus had many roles in Parliament and his party including:

Kaus was a keen sportsman, especially in cricket, football, shooting and bowls.

He was an inaugural Member of the Queensland Cricketers Club and President of the Queensland Rifle Association.

He was also responsible for the introduction of yellow rain coats for schoolchildren and the Lollipop Road Safety personnel.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and France's highest honour, the Legion of Honour in 2005.

He died in December 2006 in Brisbane and was cremated at the Mt Thompson Crematorium.