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Free Trade Party
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Free Trade Party
The Free Trade Party (FTP), officially known as the Free Trade and Liberal Association and also referred to as the Revenue Tariff Party in some states, was an Australian political party. It was formally organised in 1887 in New South Wales, in time for the 1887 New South Wales colonial election, which the party won.
The party advocated the abolition of protectionism, especially protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. However, many members also advocated use of minimal tariffs for government revenue purposes only. Its most prominent leader was George Reid, who led the Reid government as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia (1904–1905).
In New South Wales, it was succeeded by the Liberal and Reform Association in 1902, and federally by the Anti-Socialist Party in 1906. In 1909, the Anti-Socialist Party merged with the Protectionist Party to form the Liberal Party.
As with the Protectionist Party, the Free Trade Party was a "loosely defined coalition" of MPs with no national party organisation and no coordinated national campaigns.
In the lead-up to the federation of the Australian colonies on 1 January 1901, the major issue for the first federal parliament to resolve was seen to be the "fiscal question" of whether Australia should pursue a high-tariff protectionist policy or a low-tariff free trade policy. Edmund Barton, nominated as the first prime minister in late 1900, was a protectionist and formed a ministry of fellow protectionists, while free trader George Reid emerged as the de facto opposition leader. At the inaugural federal election in March 1901, political affiliation as a protectionist or free trader was a matter of self-identification, with various organisations in each state endorsing candidates and many candidates received multiple endorsements. Reid emerged with around 26 supporters in the House of Representatives and 17 supporters in the Senate after the election, although party affiliations were loose.
The first parliamentary caucus meeting of the Free Trade Party was held on 22 May 1901, with 32 members in attendance electing George Reid as party leader and William McMillan as deputy. The Free Trade senators later met separately and elected Josiah Symon as Senate leader.
During the first parliament, the Free Trade caucus in the House of Representatives met only infrequently, holding only two formal meetings in 1901 and one in 1903. The Free Trade senators met more often and to some extent acted independently, in 1902 resolving to maintain party discipline on the Tariff Bill and allow propose amendments that had been approved by Symon or a majority of the group. This led John Neild to complain that the Free Trade Party was more rigid than the Australian Labor Party (ALP), which required a loyalty pledge from its members.
A separate Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party contested the 1903 federal election in Tasmania and won two seats. However, the Tasmanian party sat and merged with the Free Trade Party in federal Parliament.
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Free Trade Party
The Free Trade Party (FTP), officially known as the Free Trade and Liberal Association and also referred to as the Revenue Tariff Party in some states, was an Australian political party. It was formally organised in 1887 in New South Wales, in time for the 1887 New South Wales colonial election, which the party won.
The party advocated the abolition of protectionism, especially protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. However, many members also advocated use of minimal tariffs for government revenue purposes only. Its most prominent leader was George Reid, who led the Reid government as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia (1904–1905).
In New South Wales, it was succeeded by the Liberal and Reform Association in 1902, and federally by the Anti-Socialist Party in 1906. In 1909, the Anti-Socialist Party merged with the Protectionist Party to form the Liberal Party.
As with the Protectionist Party, the Free Trade Party was a "loosely defined coalition" of MPs with no national party organisation and no coordinated national campaigns.
In the lead-up to the federation of the Australian colonies on 1 January 1901, the major issue for the first federal parliament to resolve was seen to be the "fiscal question" of whether Australia should pursue a high-tariff protectionist policy or a low-tariff free trade policy. Edmund Barton, nominated as the first prime minister in late 1900, was a protectionist and formed a ministry of fellow protectionists, while free trader George Reid emerged as the de facto opposition leader. At the inaugural federal election in March 1901, political affiliation as a protectionist or free trader was a matter of self-identification, with various organisations in each state endorsing candidates and many candidates received multiple endorsements. Reid emerged with around 26 supporters in the House of Representatives and 17 supporters in the Senate after the election, although party affiliations were loose.
The first parliamentary caucus meeting of the Free Trade Party was held on 22 May 1901, with 32 members in attendance electing George Reid as party leader and William McMillan as deputy. The Free Trade senators later met separately and elected Josiah Symon as Senate leader.
During the first parliament, the Free Trade caucus in the House of Representatives met only infrequently, holding only two formal meetings in 1901 and one in 1903. The Free Trade senators met more often and to some extent acted independently, in 1902 resolving to maintain party discipline on the Tariff Bill and allow propose amendments that had been approved by Symon or a majority of the group. This led John Neild to complain that the Free Trade Party was more rigid than the Australian Labor Party (ALP), which required a loyalty pledge from its members.
A separate Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party contested the 1903 federal election in Tasmania and won two seats. However, the Tasmanian party sat and merged with the Free Trade Party in federal Parliament.