William Hay (Australian politician)

William Hay (1816 – 1908) was an Australian politician and pastoralist. He was a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1867 to 1899.

Hay was born in Scotland and emigrated to New South Wales in 1837. He became a successful pastoralist, acquiring significant land holdings in the colony, particularly in the Riverina district. He was known for his improvements to his properties and for his progressive attitudes towards agriculture.

In 1867, Hay was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council, the upper house of the New South Wales Parliament. He served in this role for over three decades, representing the interests of landowners and rural communities. He was generally considered a conservative politician, advocating for responsible government and the protection of property rights. He was a strong supporter of infrastructure development in rural areas, particularly the expansion of railways and irrigation schemes.

Hay retired from the Legislative Council in 1899. He died in 1908 at his property, Boomanoomana, near Deniliquin, New South Wales. He is remembered as a prominent figure in the development of the Riverina region and a long-serving member of the New South Wales Parliament.