Dirty Election Prospects in Australia

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 151, 28 June 1943, Page 5

Dirty Election Prospects in Australia

[By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) Received Sunday, 8.25 p.m. SYDNEY, June 27.

“Until public emotions clarify it would be a bold prophet who would forecast the outcome of the election. All are agreed that it is likely to be as close, as bitter and as fluctuating in its weeb-to-week fortunes as any in Australia’s history-’* This comment on the forthcoming Federal polling expected to be held on a late .august date is made by the Sydney Sun’s political correspondent to-day. The outcome of the Royal Commission of inquiry centring around the statements by the suspended Minister of Labour (Mr. Ward) that he had been “most reliably informed” that a vital document was missing from the War Cabinet files may prove an important election factor. But whatever the Commission’s finding, the Brisbane Line issu6 and the wider question of Australian defence will dominate the elections.

One correspondent writes: “The Brisbane Line is not long enough to take all the dirty washing that will be hung on it in the next few weeks.” This certain feature of electioneering is deplored by all the Australian newspapers. “At best the squabble is academic. At worst it is dishonest and mischievous,” says the Sydney Daily Telegraph. But hy constant repetition the “nebulous and intangible Brisbane Line” has become a catchcry all over Australia. This “palpable electioneering issue,” as many expect Labour to capitalise on it, is well explained in a vote-snaring chorus sung to the appropriate tune of “The Siegfried Line.” "We’re going to hang Bob Menzies on the Brisbane Line,

With Fadden and Percy Spender, too; Hanging is really far too good for them After what they planned to do; They wanted to give North Queensland to the Jap, ,

And sell you to our foes; So help us to hang them on the Brisbane Line; For they're so and soes."

But above the Brisbane Line and the personal question of Ministerial integrity stand many broader issues. Labour’s defence record and its postwar social security plans will perhaps be the most solid planks in the Government’s platform which will rest securely on Australian appreciation of the sincerity and honesty of purpose of the Prime Minister (Mr. Curtin). His personal prestige is Labour’s greatest election asset.

The Opposition, however, will suffer no lack of election ammunition. Strike*? and absenteeism; alleged Government subservience to the trade unions increasingly under the influence of Communists; the rejection of a National Government; inflationary finance; failure to provide one army; bureaucratic control; alleged food bungling—all these will contribute to their indictment of the Curtin Government.

Among the great imponderable factors which are likely to decide the outcome at the polls will be the soldiers’ vote, the effect of the war on the industrial population drift and the “coupon vote” —the reaction of the public to wartime restrictions in food, clothing and amusement. Parliament is expected to dissolve at the end of the week. The Minister of External Affairs (Dr. Evatt) has been recalled from London to support the Government and Is expected to be back here within three weeks. By that time the Commonwealth will be in the throes of perhaps the bitterest and most interesting and important election campaigns in its history. According to the Sydney Sun’s political correspondent, a statement by the Federal Minister of Commerce (Mr. (Scully) in a recent Parliamentary debate, hit an all-time metaphorical high level. Mr. Scully is credited with having said: “In drawing a red herring across the trail the Opposition has chosen the food front as its trump card to blow up the Government.” The Sun’s political correspondent comments: “Alas, events have not substantiated his claim. The Government went down the hill like a rocket on another line altogether, but Mr. Scully still takes the bun, even if, like other Ministers, he is now singing small with his heart in his boots!”