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The split;: Australian Labor in the fifties
The Labor split of the 1950s changed the whole shape of Australian politics, but until now it has been clouded by myths and the emotions of the opposing factions. The Split penetrates this confusion and with the aid of 'inside information' examines the complex series of events that led to this momentous breakdown.
The story of the split has its roots in the war years when the Communist Party of Australia was quietly building up its strength in the trade unions in the wake of the 'gallant ally' period of sympathy for Russia. By the post war years, however, ex-communists such as 'Dinny' Lovegrove, dedicated Catholics like Bert Cremean and 'Bob' Santamaria and the ALP and trade union leaders all contributed to an intense anti-communist climate and to the formation of the ALP Industrial Groups. The decision to form these groups created tensions and factions which affected all core institutions in the maze of Labor power centres—federal and state executives and conferences, the trades and labor councils and the unions.
By 1954 continued losses at the polls had produced a potentially inflammatory situation for Labor. The federal leader, Dr H. V. Evatt, was in trouble himself and had difficulty controlling the forces around him. Were there genuine conspiracies against him or had he lost his sense of objectivity under pressure? Whatever the reasons, Evatt's famous press statement of 5 October 1954, in which he attacked by innuendo the Industrial Groups and their supporters, sparked off a political conflagration of great depth and intricacy. Strong undertones—and, at times, overtones—of religious sectarian feeling obscured the real issues.
The split had run its course by the spring of 1957, but it left the Australian Labor Party seemingly permanently weakened and incapable of attaining office either nationally or in the worst affected states. Repercussions from this period have been felt ever since and now The Split explains the background in a dramatic narrative of intrigues, dedication and wheeler dealing.
The story of the split has its roots in the war years when the Communist Party of Australia was quietly building up its strength in the trade unions in the wake of the 'gallant ally' period of sympathy for Russia. By the post war years, however, ex-communists such as 'Dinny' Lovegrove, dedicated Catholics like Bert Cremean and 'Bob' Santamaria and the ALP and trade union leaders all contributed to an intense anti-communist climate and to the formation of the ALP Industrial Groups. The decision to form these groups created tensions and factions which affected all core institutions in the maze of Labor power centres—federal and state executives and conferences, the trades and labor councils and the unions.
By 1954 continued losses at the polls had produced a potentially inflammatory situation for Labor. The federal leader, Dr H. V. Evatt, was in trouble himself and had difficulty controlling the forces around him. Were there genuine conspiracies against him or had he lost his sense of objectivity under pressure? Whatever the reasons, Evatt's famous press statement of 5 October 1954, in which he attacked by innuendo the Industrial Groups and their supporters, sparked off a political conflagration of great depth and intricacy. Strong undertones—and, at times, overtones—of religious sectarian feeling obscured the real issues.
The split had run its course by the spring of 1957, but it left the Australian Labor Party seemingly permanently weakened and incapable of attaining office either nationally or in the worst affected states. Repercussions from this period have been felt ever since and now The Split explains the background in a dramatic narrative of intrigues, dedication and wheeler dealing.
- GenresPolitics
388 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
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