Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist)

This article is about the defunct right–wing Labor organisation that existed during 1940–1941. For the defunct Labor organisation that existed during the 1930s, see Australian Labor Party (NSW). For the defunct right–wing Labor organisation that split from Labor in 1955, see Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist). For the current branch of the Australian Labor Party, see Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch).

The Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist) was the second Lang Labor breakaway party, associated with New South Wales Premier Jack Lang. It operated from 1940 to 1941.[1]

Following the disappearance of the previous Lang Labor group, the Australian Labor Party (NSW), Lang formed a new party, which contested the 1940 federal election.[2]

Unlike the 1931 split, however, he was in a minority in New South Wales, many of his old supporters such as Eddie Ward remained loyal to Labor Prime Minister John Curtin, and Lang candidates polled poorly.

In 1941, before it faced a state election, the Non-Communist Labor Party was wound up and its members, with the exception of Lang himself, were re-admitted to the Labor Party. This allowed Curtin to become Prime Minister at the head of a united party in October 1941.

The party's membership included five federal MPs (Jack Beasley, Joe Gander, Dan Mulcahy, Sol Rosevear and Tom Sheehan) and two senators (Stan Amour and John Armstrong). Nine state MLAs and six MLCs also joined the group.

References

  1. Grayndler, Edward, d. 1943; Australian Workers' Union (1940), Treachery to Labor, The Worker Trustees, retrieved 24 April 2015
  2. "TUMUT A.L.P.". The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) (NSW: National Library of Australia). 7 May 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
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