Fadden’s Policy Speech

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1943, Page 6

Fadden’s Policy Speech

BRISBANE, This Day

The immediate adoption of pay as you go taxation and a system of post-war refunds of income tax credits were major points in a policy speech delivered by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Fadden) last night. He announced the party’s support for a National Government during the war, the creation of a single Australian army available for service in any sphere, and a scheme of life insurance for members of the armed forces. Mr Fadden said that his party would prohibit strikes and give the arbitration court full powers to take action against those who counselled or encouraged strikes and against the funds and property of any organisation participating in them. If employers acted in such a way as to impair the work of tribunals or interfered with essential production, remedial action would be taken against them and if necessary, their businesses would be taken over. National Government Issue A demand for a National Government is generally accepted as the spearhead of the Opposition election campaign. "Mr. Fadden’s policy speech pledged that the Opposition will do everything possible to bring about the formation of a National Government is both wise and sincere,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald” editorially. “Should neither side convince the electors that it alone is deserving of an outright mandate to govern, such a National Government may still have to be formed."

The “Sydney Daily Telegraph” says editorially that it believes that Mr. Curtin himself favours a strong non-party Government, but that he is controlled by "powers outside Parliament and irresponsible to the people.” “That is why he cannot enforce the law against strikes,” adds the paper. “These have leapt to a staggering total of 2143 for the first three months of this year, involving 856,000 people and a loss of 268,299 working days compared with a loss of 378,195 working days for the whole of last year. Mr. Curtin does tolerate strikes, not because he likes them, but because, under the thumb of militants, he is helpless.”