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In addressing the electors of the Commonwealth may I pause for a moment to thank, with the utmost gratitude, those of you, who live in East Sydney, whose wonderful kindness and constant support have been my chief encouragement and reward through the whole of my long public career. Mr. Watson and the leagues that control him brand me as the leader of a "reactionary and conservative party." This charge is a false one. [Cheers] The Liberal and Democratic party I am the leader of a party in New...

No full transcript of this speech has yet been located. The following is a press report of Fisher’s speech. The Hon. A. Fisher, Leader of the Federal Opposition, arrived today by the 4pm train from Brisbane. He was welcomed at the station by the Mayor (Alderman C. C. McGhie) and prominent members of the W.P.O. Mr. Fisher addressed a public meeting this evening, in the Town Hall, which was well filled. The Mayor presided, and on the platform were Messrs. G. Ryland, C. Collins and M. A. Ferricks...

Four years ago I delivered a policy speech at Gympie which outlined the proposals of the first Fisher Government for the safety and future progress of Australia. It awakened interest in Australian national questions, and then quickly followed the fusion of other political parties in the Federal Parliament, the defeat of the Labour Ministry immediately Parliament met, and the return of the Labour party to power at the last election. [Hear, hear] I am with you tonight to give account of my...

Open discussion in Parliament has revealed to the public the shameless character of the Government in financial matters. When the Treasurer made a financial statement on June 11 he stated that he estimated to close the financial year 19 days later with a surplus of £824,305. When he made that statement he knew that he had spent £1,819,000 more than the revenue he received. In the discussion that followed the naked truth was revealed that he had no surplus; but that did not deter the Prime...

The policy of liberalism The Town Hall was packed. The Mayor of Parramatta occupied the chair. Mr. Cook said: I appreciate the privilege of announcing the aims and policy of the Liberal Party from the platform, where for 12 years past, by your kindness and confidence, I have been accustomed to announce my personal views. Tonight, I speak to a much larger audience, and with a sense of great responsibility. [Applause] The manifesto of the opposing party has been issued. Its ‘binding’ programme has...

It is peculiarly appropriate that here in Parramatta, whence the fertilising forces of civilisation first spread over the vast expanse of the virgin continent that a Liberal policy and propaganda which stands hard by the personal pioneering qualities should be articulated. Here, where the first crops were grown and reaped, is surely the place from which to propound a policy vibrating with sympathy for the grain growers and cultivators of today. Here, too, where the first flax factory and the...

Before setting out the present circumstances of the Commonwealth and the policy of the Government in regard to them, it is proper that I should give an account of our stewardship, in order that the electors may judge from that which we have done who is best fitted to lead this country during the period of reconstruction which now confronts us. The National Party - what it is Let me remind you of the circumstances in which the National Party came into existence, so that you may see what manner of...

The Government could, under the war legislation, have dealt effectively with the profiteering evil - that it had indeed promised to do so - but it could not be moved into action, how could this be wondered at when one realised that the representatives of the capitalists, the profiteers, and the exploiters, ere on the side of the so-called Nationalist party. The recommendations of the Interstate Commission, obtained at a cost of thousands of pounds as a result of inquiries into the cost of...

Source: The Register (Adelaide), Wednesday 25 October 1922, page 10 Report of ALP Opposition Leader, Matthew Charlton’s speech to launch the party’s 1922 election campaign. Sydney, 24 October 24, 1922 Labour’s policy 'Unlimited Legislative Powers.' 'Do Away With Costly Governors.' The Leader of the Federal Opposition (Mr. M. Charlton), in delivering his policy speech at West Maitland this evening, before an attendance of about 300, complained of Mr. Hughes’s trick of changing the date of his...

In the past, it has been the practice for the Prime Minister in announcing the policy of his party to recite in the greatest detail the record of the Government, to set out a defence of all its actions, and to make elaborate promises which are designed to attract different sections of the electors to support the Government. This practice has led to elections becoming contests in which parties endeavour to outbid each other for the people’s favour, and in which an appeal is made to the cupidity...

Content warning: this article contains language that people may find offensive. When I appeared before you in the Town Hall a little more than two-and-a-half years ago, I told you that if you would entrust the United Australia Party with power we should endeavour to do three things – restore the finances; live within our income and pay our way; and clear the road for the revival of industry. I now appear before the people of Australia to give an account of our stewardship and to ask for a...

Three years ago, I came before the people of Australia asking for a continuance of the support they had given my party at the previous election. I was able to refer to the manner in which we had kept our election pledges and to put forward a progressive policy for the next three years. Tonight, I appear once more before the people for the third time as leader of the United Australia Party and for the second time as Prime Minister. Again, I give them an account of the Government’s work, and again...