50 Years Ago: Labour Government in Australia (1982)

The 50 Years Ago column from the October 1982 issue of the Socialist Standard

Using “the preservation of Arbitration” and the protection of the living standard as a catch-cry, the Scullin Labour crowd were successful in gaining the confidence of the workers. They began grappling with the problems. It is here we get an insight into the real nature of the “Labour” Party. Under the slogan of “Build up Australian Industries,” benefits were gratuitously bestowed upon the Australian manufacturers, and the workers were callously disregarded.

The tariffs were revised, and more than 150 items were adjusted in the interests of the sections of the capitalist class represented by the “Labour” Party.

. . . But the services did not end here. During the last year of its regime the “Premier’s Plan” was introduced. Under this plan, on the plea of reducing government expense, the wages of public servants were ruthlessly reduced. Pensions of ex-soldiers and old people were chopped by 12½ per cent., and the maternity allowance was cut down similarly. The wages of all workers governed by Arbitration Court Awards were reduced by 10 per cent.

[From an article The Australian Labour Leaders by W. J. Clarke, Socialist Party of Australia, Socialist Standard, October 1932.]