in history. Labor resigned itself to another three years in opposition. In return for his support, Playford named Stott the Speaker of the House, ensuring that Stott had the casting vote on any contentious legislation — a vote that he used almost without fail to support the LCL. Stott lost the speakership following the 1965 election, which the ALP won. Nevertheless he regained it (and the balance of power) in 1968 when the LCL, under Steele Hall, returned to power. The government, being reliant on Stott's support, always welcomed his suggestions and when Stott recommended the construction of a dam at Chowilla (within his electorate), the LCL initially readily agreed. However, Hall believed the proposed dam would be an expensive white elephant and refused to fund the dam. Protests in Ridley forced Stott to vote with the Opposition to defeat Hall's government, leading to the return of Don Dunstan as Premier, something that Stott had fervently worked against for the previous decade. Later life Following his retirement at the 1970 election Stott lent his expertise to the Country Party as an organiser and campaign director and died in 1976, still angry with Steele Hall over Chowilla Dam. The Stott Highway was named in 2008 in his honour as it passes through his former electoral districts and near his farm. References Barnacles and Parasites, R. Jennings, Nesfield Press, Adelaide (1992). Members of the South Australian House of Assembly Independent members of the Parliament of South Australia 1899 births 1976 deaths Speakers of the South Australian House of Assembly Australian racehorse owners and breeders 20th-century Australian politicians