A SINGLE VOTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 June 1943, Page 2

A SINGLE VOTE

CURTIN GOVERNMENT SAVED

RESULT OF NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION (Rec. 12.50 p.m.) Canberra, This Day. After a debate lasting through the second all-night sitting the Federal House of Representatives at 6 o’clock this morning rejected by a single vote the Opposition motion of no-confidence in the Curtin Government. The voting was 27 to 26. Several members were paired. The House had been sitting continuously since 3 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. Forty members spoke in an acrimonious debate. Political commentators believed the hopes of further co-operation between the Government and the Opposition parties for the prosecution of the war have further receded as a result of the debate and say there is increasing evidence that members of all parties favour an early election. The “Sydney Morning Herald” political correspondent suggests the Curtin Government may abandon the plan to introduce its Unemployment and Health Insurance Bill during the present Parliamentary session preferring to hold it as an election bait. The Opposition majority in the Senate would certainly oppose the non-contributory nature of the Bill, which is regarded by the Government as vital. On Friday the Senate is due to debate a Bill to extend the franchise to all members of the Australian fighting forces irrespective of age. Senate opposition is expected to amend this Bill by stipulating that a vote be given only to those members of the forces who have served overseas or in certain mainland combat areas. Such an amendment may be acceptable to the Government.