AUSTRALIANA POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY –

Arthur Augustus Calwell was one of the most controversial figures in Australian political history. His radicalism and his outspoken condemnation of injustice in all walks of life, including his beloved Roman Catholic Church, have earned him a host of friends—and possibly as many enemies.

Calwell grew up with the Labor Party and represented it for thirty-two years in the House of Representatives. For six of those years he was a Minister of the Crown. He was the architect and builder of Australia’s highly successful post-World War II immigration programme. As Minister of Information, he was also frequently at loggerheads with Australia’s press barons. Yet, in 1961, a section of the press helped him come within an ace of being Prime Minister of Australia.

In this autobiography, Calwell pulls no punches and spares no reputations, least of all his own. He recalls his brushes with John Curtin, H V Evatt and Gough Whitlam, who were his political colleagues. He tells of the dramatic moment when Curtin threatened to resign over a remark Calwell made about him. He laments over the disastrous Labor splits which have helped to keep his party in Opposition for so many years. He discusses in detail his resentment of church interference in political affairs and the arguments which, he says, continue to bring him ‘hateful looks’ when he goes to church.

Calwell admits that half the troubles he encountered in life were created by himself. But he says he has nothing to regret, repine about, or repent.

This is a forthright Australian politician and nationalist at his best.

• 274p., [16]p. of plates ; 18cm. #020825

• • Calwell, Arthur A. (Arthur Augustus), 1896-1973
  • Australia. Politics. Calwell, Arthur Augustus, 1896-1973. Autobiographies
  • Statesmen — Australia — Biography
  • Australia — Politics and government