POLS 2067 Australian Political Parties

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POLS 2067Australian Political Parties

• Party Re-building
• Five Case Studies

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Robert Menzies (1894-1978) Prime Minister UAP
1939-41 Founded Liberal Party 1944 Opposition
Leader 1945-49 Prime Minister (Liberal) 1949-66
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The Canberra conference, 1944

• Australian Womens National League (Vic and Tas)
• Queensland Womens Electoral League
• Institute of Public Affairs (NSW and Vic)
• Australian Constitutional League (Vic, WA and
  Tas)
• Democratic Party (NSW)
• Liberal Democratic Party of Australia (NSW)
• Liberal and Country League of South Australia
• Kooyong Citizens Association (Vic)

• Country National Organisation of Queensland
• United Australia Organisation (Vic)
• Nationalist Party
• Services and Citizens Party (Vic)
• United Australia and Nationalist Organisation of
  Tasmania
• Nationalist Party of Western Australia
• United Australia Party (federal)

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Menzies list of problems

• No federal organisation
• No statement of political objectives
• No policy machinery
• No party name of intrinsic significance
• No publicity machine
• No continuing organisation in electorates
• Minimal involvement of women and young people
• No rank-and-file finance

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Obstacles

• Agreement among diverse groups
• NSW intransigence
• - opposed to mixed economy
• - opposed to members control of finances
• UAP old guard opposed to change
• Suspicions of UAP in new garb
• Opposition to Menzies as leader

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a true revival of liberal thought which will
work for social justice and security, for
national power and progress, and for the full
development of the individual citizen, though not
through the dull and deadening process of
socialism There is no room in Australia for a
party of reaction. There is no useful place for a
party of negation
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Branches and members, March-April 1945
Branches Members March April March April
NSW 70 200 7000 20 000 VIC 45 100
5000 15 000 SA 252 237 27 000 22
000 WA 15 31 2000 2 500 TAS 7 23
400 1 500 TOTAL 389 591 41 000 61 000
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Henry Bolte (1908-1990) Opposition Leader
1953-55 Premier of Victoria 1955-72
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• Before Bolte
• Liberal Party formed 1944
• Party splits 1945
• Loses to ALP
• Liberals declare war on CP
• CP does deal with Labor
• Liberals split again 1952
• Bolte becomes leader

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Boltes problems

• Demoralised party
• Deep divisions within party
• His leadership seen as temporary
• Business support lacking
• Poor perception of party at State level

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Boltes solution

• Establish authority
• Build credibility
• Be policy-specific
• Get to know the people
• Be relevant
• Bury the past

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Bob Askin (1907-1981) Opposition Leader
1959-65 Liberal Premier of NSW 1965-75
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• Before Askin
• ALP in office in NSW 1941-1965
• Liberals change leaders four times in 1950s
• Morale low
• Party seen as permanent opposition party
• Most Liberals have outside employment
• After Askin
• Askin declares himself professional politician
• Bans outside work for MPs
• Pushes NSW Liberal Party to the centre
• Wins office in 1965 and stays there

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• Gough Whitlam (1917- )
• MP since 1952
• Elected deputy leader 1960
• Elected leader 1967
• Forces changes on party
• Resigns leadership and recontests
• Leads ALP to office in 1972

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• Before Whitlam
• Labor out of office since 1949
• Labor splits over communism 1954-55
• Loses nine elections in 20 years
• Defeatist mentality entrenched
• ALP unelectable in Victoria
• Leadership out of touch

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Who are these men? What are they doing? And why
does it matter?
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The 36 Faceless Men The ALP Federal Executive
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Whitlams tasks

• Stop the Faceless Men slur
• Become more pragmatic, less ideological
• Reform Victorian branch
• Establish credibility
• Avoid extremism

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In Whitlams way

• Resentment
• Ideological purity
• Seen as capitulation
• Not a true Labor man
• Unprincipled

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Whitlams achievements

• Parliamentary representation
• Reform of Victorian branch
• Policy development
• Credibility as alternative government
• Respectability
• Wins office in 1972

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• Neville Wran 1928-
• MLC 1970
• Becomes leader 1973
• Moves to Leg Assembly
• Wins 1976 election
• Retires 1987

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In Wrans way

• Not a real Labor man
• The way he came to leadership
• No respect for ALP traditions
• Threatens existing power structure

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Wrans achievements

• Builds internal coalition
• Establishes media presence
• Connects with the people
• Creates perception of inevitability
• Unites party
• Restores Labor credibility
• Wins 1976 election
• Reforms public transport
• 1978 Wranslide
• Reforms Legislative Council