Richard Valentine Keane (14 February 1881 – 26 April 1946) was an Australian politician and trade unionist. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and served as Minister for Trade and Customs from 1941 until his death in 1946. He was a member of both the House of Representatives (1929–1931) and the Senate (1938–1946). Prior to entering politics he worked as a clerk with the Victorian Railways and served as national secretary of the Australian Railways Union (1925–1929).
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Early life
Keane was born on 14 February 1881 in Beechworth, Victoria, the fourth child of Hanorah (née O'Sullivan) and Timothy Keane. His parents were Irish Catholic immigrants – his mother was born in County Tipperary and his father, a police constable, in County Kerry. He possessed papers showing that his father had served with the Union in the American Civil War under the name "Timothy Kane", and had received a commendation for his role in the Battle of Sailor's Creek.
Keane was educated at Christian Brothers College, St Kilda, following his father's transfer to Melbourne. He later became the first president of the school's Old Boys association. In 1897, aged 16, Keane began working as a clerk with the Victorian Railways in Bendigo. He soon became involved in the labour movement.