Speaking for Australia: Parliamentary speeches that shaped the nationCharles Roderick Kemp, Marion Stanton 'So many of the decisions that changed this nation were first announced and debated in parliament, and so many of Australia's triumphs and disasters were celebrated or mourned there.' - From the foreword by Professor Geoffrey Blainey Parliament lies at the heart of Australian life. From spy scandals to immigration quotas, from wars to domestic crises, from trade tariffs to stem cell research, the concerns of the nation are reflected in the speeches of its representatives. Speaking for Australia offers a selection of the most memorable speeches given in the Australian parliament since Federation in 1901. Some of these speeches changed history, some mark a significant moment in Australian life, and others offer a very personal perspective. Many of Australia's most colourful political figures are represented: Billy Hughes, Arthur Calwell, Robert Menzies, John Gorton, Gough Whitlam and Pauline Hanson. Together, these speeches track the development of the nation: two world wars and other major international conflicts; the battle for rights for women and Aborigines; changing attitudes to immigration; the growth of economic planning; and the ever-shifting political landscape. Speaking for Australia is a fascinating record of a century of Australian public life, and a treasure trove of quotes for speech makers, writers and students. |
Contents
| 3 | |
Norman Ewing | 16 |
George Reid | 23 |
Billy Hughes | 31 |
Frank Anstey | 43 |
Billy Hughes | 50 |
Stanley Bruce | 70 |
Bob Hawke National Economic Summit 1983 | 238 |
Bob Hawke The first Gulf War 1990 | 253 |
Pauline Hanson Maiden speech 1996 | 268 |
Peter Costello A new tax system 1999 | 285 |
John Howard The second Gulf War 2003 | 299 |
Joe Lyons Leaving the Labor Party 1931 80 | 311 |
Glossary | 323 |
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Speaking for Australia: Parliamentary Speeches that Shaped Our Nation Rod Kemp,Marion Stanton No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
Aboriginal and Torres action Affairs Alfred Deakin Asian attack Australia Card Australian Labor Party banks believe Bill Billy Hughes British Calwell Canberra Chifley coalition Commonwealth Communist conscription Constitution Deakin Debates defence Democrats East Timor economic election forces Fraser freedom Gorton Government's Hawke High Court honorable member House of Representatives ibid immigration important Indonesia industry interest INTERFET Iraq issue John Curtin justice Labor Government Leader legislation Liberal Lyons Mabo decision major Melbourne University Press military native title never opposed Opposition parliamentary Paul Keating Pauline Hanson peace pensions political Positions held President Prime Minister propose Queensland recognise referendum resignation resolution responsible right honorable Robert Menzies Saddam Scullin Security Council September Simon Crean social Sydney things Torres Strait Islanders trade Treasurer United Australia Party United Nations vote weapons Whitlam women
Popular passages
Page 156 - The first section of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia provides that the legislative power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in “a Federal Parliament, which shall consist of the Queen, a Senate, and a House of Representatives”. It is therefore
Page 8 - following paragraphs of this section (hereinafter called “prohibited immigrants”) is prohibited, namely: (a) Any person who when asked to do so by an officer fails to write out and sign in the presence of the officer, a passage of 50 words in length in the English language dictated by the officer...
Page 187 - 127 provides that, in reckoning the numbers of the people of the Commonwealth, or of a State or other part of the Commonwealth, Aboriginal natives shall not be counted. The
Page 198 - The Prime Minister, because of his unreasoned drive to get his own way, his obstinacy, impetuous and emotional reactions, has imposed strains upon the Liberal Party, the Government and the Public Service. I do not believe he is fit to hold the great office of Prime Minister, and I cannot serve in his Government.
Page 120 - If Australians have learned one lesson from the Pacific war now moving to a successful conclusion, it is surely that we cannot continue to hold our island continent for ourselves and our descendants unless we greatly increase our numbers. We are but 7,000,000 people and we hold 3,000,000 square miles of this earth's surface. Our
Page 188 - The people of any race, other than the Aboriginal race in any State, for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws.
Page 151 - free expression of opinion in this country, but it also strikes at the very heart of justice. It opens the door for the liar, the perjurer and the pimp to make charges and damn men's reputations and to do so in secret without having either to substantiate or prove any charges they might make.
Page 198 - Since his election to office, the Prime Minister has seriously damaged the Liberal Party and cast aside the stability and sense of direction of earlier times. He has a dangerous reluctance to consult Cabinet, and an obstinate determination to get his own way. He ridicules the advice of a great Public Service unless it supports his view...
Page 141 - the influence of money is so great, the entire monetary and banking system should be controlled by public authorities responsible through it, the Government, and the Parliament, to the nation. I hear Government members say “Hear, hear”! I ask them to read the sentence again. Now let me put it this way: