Our country has now withstood the direst trials; it has lived through its darkest hour; it is now confronting the dawn of a victorious and a better day. The Labor Government has done its duty. Australia stands at this election one of the free countries in the world. For that we have toiled and striven. And we know that the time has come when a preserved Australia can once again advance.
July 26th, 1943
defence employment communism economy social securityThe outstanding problems to be faced and to be honestly and firmly grappled with in the next Parliament are those directly associated with public finance, the development of Australian industries, and the employment of our people. With no desire to paint a gloomy picture, it is my duty to direct attention to our position, and to utter the warning that, notwithstanding Australia’s great natural resources and wonderfully recuperative powers, the present drift cannot be allowed to continue without fateful consequences.
November 17th, 1928
defence federal-state relations immigration Indigenous affairs industrial relations infrastructureCare must therefore be exercised in the recording of votes for the two parties. It remains for you to say whether you will have what has been aptly termed the triple fusion–the wreckage of the Deakin party, the wreckage of the Cook party, and the wreckage of the Hughes party–returned to power in the country, or whether you will remain true and vote solidly for the Australian Labor Party.
March 29th, 1917
agriculture defence federal-state relations tradeThis election is being held at a time when the international situation is most ominous. War and internecine strife are raging in Asia and Europe. Jealousy, suspicion and fear of the intentions of neighbouring nations threaten Europe. Parliamentary Government has been challenged and, in many cases, overthrown; the liberties of the people have been trampled underfoot.
September 28th, 1937
economy employment family health immigration social securityDespite their alleged misery, the people of Australia, during our six years, have almost doubled the number of their motor cars. There is today one motor vehicle (private and commercial) for every 4½ people. Washing machines, domestic refrigerators, household appliances tell the same story.
communism defence health agriculture economy employment foreign affairs industrial relations infrastructure trade
During our period of office, we have seen increases in wealth in trade, in the areas of crops, in banking assets and banking deposits in savings, bank deposits in the number of depositors, in marriages, in births and in immigration. We have built, manned and equipped an Australian navy with our own money, and established an effective defence force.
March 31st, 1913
defence economy communications and technology federal capital federal-state relations foreign affairs health industrial relations infrastructure social security trade White Australia policySane and safe Government, combined with sound progressive policies, can carry us along the road to great prosperity. Today Australia is being challenged by extremists who are seeking to disrupt the Empire; who are fomenting trouble in trade and industry, and are working insidiously to overthrow our national institutions. With these men there can be no compromise.
October 8th, 1928
economy employment federal-state relations industrial relations family immigration infrastructure trade White Australia policyThe real decision which the people of Australia are called upon to make at this election is one of values. The Labor Party declares that the immediate task of statesmanship is to overcome the forces which are undermining the moral, social and economic foundations of civilisation.
It affirms that the level of social well-being is the crucial test of economic policy and that peace is an idle dream without social justice between nations and between individuals.
September 20th, 1937
agriculture defence economy employment environment family federal-state relations immigration industrial relations infrastructure social security trade waterThat course I refuse to follow. The times are too critical. For any National leader to-day to deceive the people by promises which, either for financial or constitutional reasons, he could never redeem, would constitute a betrayal of the obligations and duties resting upon him which would never be forgiven.
October 5th, 1925
defence economy federal capital immigration industrial relations federal-state relations social security trade White Australia policy