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Hawke-Wran Review Of ALP Published

A report by former ALP Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, and former NSW Premier, Neville Wran, into the structure of the ALP has been released today.

A statement issued by the two men said: “The recommendations are geared towards making the Party more participatory and democratic, more attractive to potential members, and more in step with the attitudes and aspirations of the Australian electorate.”

Hawke and Wran said: “The Report is the result of a rigorous consultation program spanning nine months and involving more than 2000 branch members who attended Party forums in every state and territory. We also met with community leaders, Premiers and Chief Ministers, past and present members of parliament, national union leaders, women’s groups and academics from around the country.

“The Report is now in the hands of the ALP National Executive, who are expected to appoint a Rules sub-committee to turn the recommendations into proposed rule changes. These will then be debated at the Special National Conference announced by Simon Crean and to be held in Canberra 5-6 October this year.”



The 1980 Federal Election: Analysis By Dr. Jean Holmes

This is a booklet on the 1980 Federal Election by Dr. Jean Holmes.

Dr. Holmes was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Melbourne.

The booklet was originally published by the Victorian Association of Social Studies Teachers and subsequently republished by the Correspondence School. [Read more…]


1980 ALP Campaign Advertisement: Raise The Standard

The ALP’s campaign slogan for the 1980 federal election was “Raise the Standard”.

This is video and audio of a record produced by the ALP and released during the campaign. It was published on YouTube by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

The recording includes the ALP’s campaign jingle and remarks by Opposition Leader Bill Hayden and NSW Premier Neville Wran.

The Liberal-National Country Party government of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was re-elected to its third and final term at the election, suffering a net loss of 12 seats to finish with 74 in a 125-seat House of Representatives.

The ALP, led by Bill Hayden, secured a net gain of 13 seats to finish with 51. The ALP achieved a two-party swing of 4.2% against the coalition. It increased its primary vote by 5.5% to 45.15%, a significant improvement on its 1975 and 1977 performance.

Bob Hawke entered the parliament at this election. He went on to replace Hayden as ALP leader in February 1983 and won the March 1983 election. Hayden was the Minister for Social Security and Treasurer in the Whitlam governments (1972-75). He served as Foreign Minister under Hawke (1983-88) and as Governor-General (1989-1996).

  • Watch “Raise the Standard” (4m)
  • Listen to “Raise the Standard” (4m)

Neville Wran Interviewed By Michael Willesee

This is a video of NSW Premier Neville Wran’s interview with Michael Willesee on Channel 7.

The interview took place on September 22, 1980, one month before the federal election that saw Malcolm Fraser’s coalition government returned with a reduced majority for a third term.

Wran had been Labor Premier of NSW since May 1976. In 1978, he won a landslide re-election victory. At the time of this interview, he had just been elected National President of the ALP. He went on to win two more elections in 1981 and 1984, before retiring in 1986. [Read more…]