A New World (For Sure):
Australia, 1968 to the present
The new Leader of the Oppisition burning a draft card at an anti-war rally.
The short leadership of E.G. Whitlam, a notoriously larger than life personality within the confines of the House of Representatives, will be remembered more in the obscure annals of political might-have beens for its ambitious, though ultimately futile, inter-party reforms and for the shocking end of its life by the hands of the ALP party room, than for any real accomplishment over a period of less than two years.
Placing supreme confidence in his force of personality within the parliamentary party, Mr Whitlam decided to yesterday place everything on the line for what he might call a statement of principle but seems to have been much more of a self-inflicted execution. Mr Whitlam's decision to resign the Labor leadership over the refusal of the national executive to seat the right-wing apparatchik, Brian Harradine from Tasmania, shocked even his most loyal stalwarts.
Even still, the candidacy of Dr James F. Cairns, long-time stalwart of the left-wing Victorian branch of the party, was widely regarded as a statement of principle, meant to advocate internally for greater focus on traditional socialist principles than to present a legitimate alternative to Mr Whitlam. It seems that this was the opinion of Dr Cairns himself.
Dr Cairns's narrow victory over Mr Whitlam on the party room ballot--thirty-five votes to thirty-three--is all the more shocking and impressive. Both candidates were reportedly flabbergasted at the announcement of the result, and Dr Cairns apparently mused the need for a recount in order to break the tension within the room. Shortly after the party meeting ended, Dr Cairns requested that Mr Whitlam take the position of either Treasury or Foreign Affairs critic within the front bench, a request Mr Whitlam politely declined.
The feeling along the Government halls of Parliament House were reportedly electric with celebration, as the Prime Minister, Mr Gorton, breathed a collective sigh of relief that Labor's most formidable leader since Ben Chifley had not survived to see an election.
What the judgement of the voters will be on Dr Carins's leadership, and his traditionally Marxist political inclinations will remain to be seen.
The Age, 1968
Prime Ministers of AustraliaThe Hon John Gorton MP (1968-present), Liberal (Coalition)
Leaders of the OppositionE.G. Whitlam MP (1967-68), Labor
James "Jim" F. Cairns MP (1968-present), Labor
Leaders of the Liberal PartyThe Hon John Gorton MP (1968-present)
Leaders of the Labor PartyE.G. Whitlam MP (1967-68)
James F. Cairns MP (1968-present)
Leaders of the Country PartyThe Hon John McEwen MP (1958-present)
Leaders of the Democratic Labor PartySenator Vincent Gair (1965-present)
