May not this old fabric, when compared with the more palatial structures of these modern days, indicate to us the ageless principle of Liberalism, which as the generations pass, constantly renews itself and makes its appeal—always adequate and wise—to the new times and conditions in which we live.
July 14th, 1914
defence economy federal capital federal-state relations foreign affairs government administration immigration industrial relations social security water White Australia policyCare 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 tradeCommunism in Australia is an alien and destructive pest. If elected, we shall outlaw it. The Communist Party will be declared subversive and unlawful, and dissolved. A receiver will be appointed to deal with its assets. Subject to appeal, the Attorney-General will be em-powered to declare other bodies substantially Communist; to follow the party into any new form and attach illegality to that new association.
November 10th, 1949
communism economy employment family immigration White Australia policy socialismDuring 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 policyWe have attempted nothing spectacular. We have eschewed the monetary cranks and spurned the miracle workers. We have stuck to proved methods, honest value and honest money. But if we have attempted nothing spectacular in our methods of Government, I think we are justified in claiming that our efforts have resulted in what must be regarded as one of the most spectacular economic recoveries the world has known.
August 13th, 1934
economy employment trade defence federal-state relations health social securityIt was persistently suggested at the last elections that, while the Labor Government was in office, bankers and financiers would not release money for enterprise, and that, with the removal of the Labor Government, millions would flow into industry and employment and prosperity would appear. Thousands of poor people, sorely tried by poverty, voted against their lifetime convictions, but they have had a sad awakening. I am confident that, on this occasion, they will assert their rights as men and women, and, by their votes, will transfer their power to a Labor Government with majorities in both Houses of Parliament. That power, in Labor’s hands, will be used with firmness and with justice. Democracy shall rule Australia, not a financial oligarchy.
August 15th, 1934
agriculture economy employment industrial relations infrastructureSane 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 policyThere never was a more urgent problem in any country: urgent because of its strategic importance and vulnerability from the point of view of defence, and urgent also from the financial point of view. The two chief requirements are railways and settlers.
April 3rd, 1913
economy infrastructure social security defence government administration immigration industrial relations socialism trade water White Australia policy federationAustralian Labor stands for the establishment and expansion of industry in all its forms. Industry furnishes an ever increasing local market for the consumption of local products. Tariff protection is one of the methods by which national economic expansion can be secured. Labor endorses not only protection at the customs but every method whereby the self-sustaining power of the nation can be extended.
October 9th, 1925
economy health employment industrial relations tradeMen and Women of Australia: Our message is one of hope and faith—hope for the young, the anxious, the uncertain, the deprived; and faith in the future of Australia’s parliamentary democracy. Working together, we can get Australia working again, we can get the Australian parliamentary democracy working again.
November 17th, 1977
communications and technology economy education employment federal-state relations health Indigenous affairs industrial relations infrastructure social security