Megarrity, Lyndon (2024) Queensland Liberalism: The Queensland People’s Party 1943–49. In: Gorman, Zachary, (ed.) Unity in Autonomy: A Federal History of the Founding of the Liberal Party. Connor Court Publishing, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, pp. 147-168.

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Abstract

[Extract] Observing the wartime dominance of the Labor Party in Queensland, and the demoralisation of the non-Labor side of politics, Brisbane Lord Mayor and independent state MP John Beals (JB) Chandler argued that a new political party was needed to represent the interests of Queensland as a whole:

Australia must get rid of its inferiority complex and not be afraid of doing big things as America has done. To do these things they must get the best type of men available in the community to enter the Legislature.

Chandler’s personal popularity and the efforts of core Brisbane supporters resulted in the formation of the Queensland People’s Party (QPP) in 1943. While the Country Party remained the most successful non-Labor party in Queensland, the QPP developed strong branch membership in Brisbane and the regions. It also enjoyed modest success in two state elections. The QPP was similar in outlook to the numerous non-Labor parties in other states that Robert Menzies persuaded to merge into a new party in 1944–45. However, the QPP resisted Menzies’ overtures and refused to give up its identity. It was only towards the very end of the decade that the QPP membership chose to formally become the Queensland division of the Liberal Party of Australia.

Item ID:	83870
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	9781923224414
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2024 Connor Court Publishing. All Rights Reserved.
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2024 00:41
FoR Codes:	43 HISTORY, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 4303 Historical studies > 430302 Australian history @ 100%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1307 Understanding past societies > 130703 Understanding Australia’s past @ 100%
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