Australian Party Politics

An up-to-date general survey of the Australian party system has been needed for over a decade. Indeed, no such study has appeared since the establishment of the Menzies government nearly fifteen years ago, and the emergence of the Democratic Labor Party. Australian Party Politics now provides a comprehensive account of all the major political parties in Australia.

Set against the historical, social and constitutional background, the survey of these parties since their formation shows them to be unstable and responding slowly to broadening political issues, and as avenues to power, rather than movements. Emphasis is placed upon the relationship between the machine and the parliamentarians, and on the organizational structure and policies of the parties. The author also discusses the factionalism, dissension and confusion which have been typical of Australian party politics, and the party record in evolving leaders and forming policy.