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Australian Politics and Policy: 2021 Senior Edition

“…One of the major distinctions is between classical liberalism and social liberalism. 41 Classical liberalism is generally associated with a belief in rights to life, liberty and property. There should also be minimal government intervention in the economy, with the emphasis instead on freeing up the market forces of supply and demand.…”

“…42 In the 19th century, a different form of liberalism began to emerge, described variously as 'social liberalism' , 'new liberalism' or 'modern liberalism' . 43 Associated with the work of J.S. Mill, L.T.…”

“…For example, as Daniel Deniehy put it, 'a just law no more recognises the supremacy of a class than it does the predominance of a creed … [T]he elective principle is the only basis upon which sound government could be built. ' 47 The division between different types of liberalism was also important in the development of the Australian party system in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The two largest 'parties' (or perhaps more accurately, 'groupings' , given their relatively loose organisational structures) in the first federal parliament were the Protectionists and the Free Traders.…”

“…The extraparliamentary wing is also responsible for pre-selecting candidates. 41 The party changed its name from the Country Party to the National Party of Australia in 1982 as it sought to appeal to Australians living in cities. The party has consistently tried to broaden its constituency as populations in cities have risen.…”

“…The party was so focused on stopping the ALP from regaining government that, once Whitlam won the 1972 election, its reason for existing ceased and the party collapsed. 43 The next minor party elected to the Senate was the Australian Democrats in 1977. Following the 1975 constitutional crisis, there was a growing appetite within the electorate for alternatives to the major parties.…”