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PF FEDERAL 3a^ ^^S AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

SECRETARIAT

FIFTH FLOOR, AINSLIE BUILDING, 39 AINSLIE AVE., CANBERRA, A.C.T. TEL. 40393; 4 0394.

GENERAL SECRETARY: CYRIL 5. WYNDHAM

015JUN1965 r;

INFORMATION RELE sSE NO: 12/ 6^

DECISIONS OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE

The following decisions were taken at the Federal Executive meeting at the Federal Secretariat, Canberra, com-mencing on Monday, 24th May, 1965.

1: MR.. R. H. L ACEY

The Executive placed on record its appreciation of the services of Senator-Elect R. H. Lacey(Tasmania) who, after many years as a member of the Federal Executive, did not seek re-election at the 1965

Tasmanian State Conference.

2: THE HON. E. J. HOLLOWAY

The Executive endorsed the action of the General Secretary in sending the Hon. E.J. Holloway a telegram of congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday celebrated on the 13th

April,

1965.

3: PRESENTATION TO F. E. CHAMBERLAIN

The Executive noted that Mr. C. H. Webb, M.P., had presented Mr. F.E. Chamberlain with a standard lamp suitably inscribed on behalf of the Federal Conference and Federal Executive. The decision to make the presentation was made by the 1963 Federal

Conference and was intended to recognise Mr. Chamberlain's services as Federal President and Federal Secretary.

4: "LABOR'S ROLE IN MODERN SOCIETY"

The Federal Executive noted with satisfaction that the publishers of Mr. Calwell's book "Labor's Role in Modern Society" were about to issue a paperback edition which had been revised and also

contained a forward by the Rt. Hon. Harold Wilson, M.P., Prime Minister of Great Britain. In view of the value of the book to the Party, the Federal Executive resolved to urge all constituent bodies to give their full support.

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5: SCBIIELL A MEMORIAL LIBRARY

The Executive expressed appreciation of a donation of E200 from the Hon: R.W. Holt, LL.B., as Executor of the estate of J. V. Stout deceased. This sum would be used to install a J. V. Stout Memorial Section in the Secretary's Library.

6: MR. JOHN FORRESTER

The Federal Executive received and endorsed a report from the New South Wales State Executive with respect to its suspension of Mr. J. F. Forrester for three months.

7: NATIONAL HALL OF LABOR

The Executive approved a recommendation from the Commonwealth Labor Advisory Committee that appropriate governmental authorities be advised that it is the intention of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Labor Party to erect suitable buildings in Canberra as a joint national venture.

8: NATIONAL, CIVIC COUNCIL

The Federal Executive received the Final Report of the General Secretary on the National Civic Council and resolved that as the D.L.P. is for all intents and purposes an adjunct of

the N.C.C., the latter body be now declared a

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ proscribed organisation.

9: THE HON. A. A. CALWELL, M.H.R.

That all State Branches having expressed recent votes of confidence in the Federal Leader (Mr. A.A. Calwell, M.H.R.), this meeting of the Federal Executive endorses the sentiments -

expressed by the State Branches and now conveys to Mr. Calwell its complete confidence in his Leadership.

10: THE AUSTRALIAN WORKERS LOTION

That this Federal Executive expresses grave concern at the decision of the Annual Convention of the A.W.U. which seeks to establish a position which affronts the A.L.P. T he principle of affil-

iation to the A.L.P. has equal application to all Unions irrespective of numerical strength. The Executive cannot concede that the A.W.U. should occupy a privileged position in its relationship with the A.L.P.

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The Executive expresses the hope that the Union will appreciate the position which its attitude is placing this Party in. If this attitude is accepted on the grounds that the A.L.P. cannot afford to ig-nore the ultimatum delivered by the A.W.U., then not

only would the Party lose its self respect, but it would set a dangerous precedent involving the devel-opment of a situation which other Unions could con-

ceivably lay down terms and conditions which would be at variance with the Constitution and Rules of the Party.

11: SENATOR P. J. IkENNELLY

The Federal Executive having considered all the circumstances relating to and surrounding the inci-dent at the Declaration of the Senate Poll in Victoria, determines that the manner in which

Senator P.J. Kennelly provoked the subsequent con-troversy was irresponsible for a man in his position.

Senator Kennelly, as Deputy Leader in the Senate, enjoys privileges which are not ordinarily available to others in that he has immediate and free access to the Federal Executive should he desire to submit or discuss any proposals affecting the Party.

Further, Senator Kennelly acted without consul-tation with the Leader or any Senior Official of the Party and, therefore, he did repudiate publicly Party Policy, and further, was in breach of the Federal Ex-

ecutive decisions concerning public statements. Accordingly, the Executive resolves that Senator P. J. Kennelly be severely censured for an act which

caused the Party unnecessary and avoidable embarrass-ment, and warns him that any repetition of the offence will not be viewed so lightly.

12: HON. A.R.G. HAWKE, M.L.A.

That the public statement made by Mr. R. Hawke which appeared in the West Australian on the 15th February, 1965 and confirmed by him at the West Australian State Executive on the 8th M arch, in which he supported the calling of a conference be-tween the A.L.P. and the D.L.P. represented a repud-

iation of Federal Policy.

It is noted that Mr. Hawke's statement was qual-ified by xp b (i) he was expressing a personal opinion and (ii) he did not favour the laying down of con-ditions before such a conference.

However, the Federal Executive comes to the con-clusion that the offence was committed and materially assisted in the development of a controversy which was damaging to the A.L.P. and he be severely cen-

sured and warned that any repetition of the offence will not be viewed so lightly.

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TRAMWAYS UNION

This Federal Executive expresses grave concern at the decision of the Victorian Tramways Union which seeks to establish a position which affronts the A.L.P. The principle of affiliation to the A.L.P. has equal application to all Unions. The Executive cannot concede that the Tramways Union

should occupy a privileged position in its relation-ship with the A.L.P.

The Executive expresses the hope that the Union will appreciate the position which its attitude is placing this Party in. If this attitude is accepted on the grounds that the A.L.P. cannot afford to

ignore the ultimatum delivered by the Union, then not only would the Party lose its self-respect, but it would set a dangerous precedent involving the development of a situation in which other unions

could lay down terms and conditions which would be at variance with the Constitution and Rules of the Party. V

14 UNITY TICKET PROCEDURE

That upon a charge being laid relative to Unity Tickets in Union ballots or where a State Executive has some evidence that a Unity Ticket is in exist-ence, the decision of the Federal Executive at its meeting in August 1961 shall be given effect to

including:

(a) That any A.L.P. member so involved must cause an advertisement to appear in a newspaper that his name had been included without his consent.

Ã¢ÂÂ¢ (') If the Investigating Body so decides, the

member must make a statutory declaration to establish the denial.

(c) That any member affected by a decision of the Investigating Body has the right to use appeal machinery established under State Rules subject to final determination by the Federal Authority.

PARLIAMENTARY SALARIES

That the Federal Executive be requested to initiate discussions with the Parliamentary Leader for the purpose of evolving some equitable machin-ery which can be used to fix rates of remuneration for Parliamentarians which will remove the question from constant public controvery and dissention.

16: AFFILIATION WITH SCCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

The Federal _Executive unanimously resolved to recommend to the 1965 Federal Conference that the Party affiliate with the Socialist International.

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REGIONAL GROUP OF THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL The Federal Executive noted correspondence between the Party, the Socialist International, the Peoples Action Party of Singapore and the New Zealand Labour Party on the proposal to form an Australian/Asian Regional Group of the Socialist

International.

18: COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN VIETNAM

The Federal Executive received and noted a report from the New South Wales Branch proscribing the Committee for Peace in Vietnam.

O 19 SOUTH VIETNAM

This Executive gives complete support to the statement made by the Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party on the grievous situa-tion in Vietnam in the Parliament on 4th May, 1965, which represented the unanimous opinion of the

Federal Caucus,

2: SELECTION OF CANDIDATES

As the Government has declared that no redis-tribution will take place before the next election, State Executives be requested to proceed with the selection of candidates as soon as possible.

21: PARTY REORGANISATION

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The Federal Executive referred the report of

the General Secretary on Party re-organisation and the recommendations made thereon by the National Organising and Planning Committee to the State Execu-tives for consideration and report to the next Federal Executive,

22: 1965 FEDER.:L CONFERENCE

The Federal Executive unanimously resolved to make the following recommendations to the 1965 Federal Conference:

A: That visitors be admitted to Conference on being vouched for by the Leader of the re-spective State delegations and the General Secretary of the Party.

B: Visitors who are not members of the A.L,P., e.g. diplomats, interested persons, etc., shall be admitted on being vouched for by the Federal Secretary.

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C:

The press shall be admitted to all Sessions on presenting suitable credentials from the journals, newspapers, etc., they represent.

D: Should the Conference so decide to go into private session, all visitors, reporters and persons not being delegates shall be ex-cluded.

23: MOUNT ISA DISPUTE

This Executive condemns the Queensland Govern-ment for its enactment of extreme and repressive legislation, in direct violation of the United Nations Charter, which:

(i) restricts freedom of speech, association and movement and destroys essential civil liber-ties;

(ii) threatens individual and family life;

(iii) endangers the conduct of normal trade union business by trade union leaders and other persons.

24: INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS

The following resolution was referred to the Economic Committee for consideration:-"That a move be made-through appropriate channels to ensure that educational ex-

penses incurred by individuals for post schooling education be classified as an income tax deduction."

25: GENERAL MOTORS HOLDEN

The following resolution was referred to the Economic Committee for consideration:-"At a recent meeting, the W est Australian State Executive decided that the Federal

Executive give consideration to the ques-tion of General Motors Holden becoming a nationalised concern.."

26: ECONOMIC SITUATION

The following resolution was referred to the Parliamentary Labor Party for consideration:-"The action taken by the President of the United States of America in February, 1965,

and the more recent action announced by the Chancellor of the United Kingdom Government are a recognition by those countries of the pressing dangers facing the dollar and sterl-ing currencies in international trade.

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In. addition, the measures taken are an admiss-ion that confidence in any currency is depen-dent upon prudent and sound financial admins-tration.

The Australian Government has permitted its balance of payments to be determined by too great a reliance on overseas borrowing, being at the rate of two hundred million per annum

(average) over the last 7 years.

This has resulted in Australian industry be-ing partially owned by and virtually controlled from abroad. It also makes our own national economy vulnerable to whatever measures are taken by the U.S.A. and U.K. Governments to correct their own imbalance of payments.

The recent passage of correspondence between Sir Robert Menzies and the President of the U.S.A. discloses the Australian Government's Ã¢ÂÂ¢ belated recognition of the danger always in-

herent in the present financial policy.

It is obvious that the Government wishes to perpetuate this precarious policy by seeking, as a mendicant, special consideration from the U.S.A.

The A.L.P. again condemns the Menzies Govern-ment for its failure to control the unregulated inflow of overseas private capital, and for its failure to now take positive action which will make the Australian economy more indepen-dent and more capable of promoting its own

economic growth and development of its own abundant natural resources and labor."

27: INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

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The Federal Executive agreed to ask the Educa-

tion Committee to consider ways in which the study of foreign languages could be promoted in Australia, and also the possibility of furthering an inter-

national language.

28: MINISTRY OF SPORT

The Health Committee has been asked to consider the advisability of encouraging the establishment of a Ministry of Sport and Physical Culture.

29: IMPORTS OF FROZEN FOODS

The Rural Committee has been asked to review the position _of imports of fresh frozen vegetables especially from countries receiving Colombo Plan Aid.

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CHIROPRACTORS

The Health Committee has been requested to e consider whether accounts for Chiropractor treatment should be placed on the same basis as other medical treatment and be accepted claims for Hospital and Medical Benefits.

31: NATIONAL SUPERRANNUATION SCHEME

The Social Services Committee have been requested to investigate the question of a National Superannua-tion Scheme,

32: IMMIGRATION REVIEyV COMMITTEE

The Federal Executive received and adopted the report of the Immigration Review Committee established under direction of the 1963 Federal Conference. The report of the C ommittee will be presented to the 1965

Federal Conference in August.

33: ABORIGINES

The following resolution was referred to the Aborigines Committee for consideration:-1. That a civil rights commission on the lines of that established in the United States be created

in Australia for the duty of protecting the rights of the aboriginal people.

2. That a system of social assistance and benefits on the lines of the Repatriation Commission be established for the aborigines in Australia.

3. That a firm title to aboriginal lands be created on behalf of the aboriginal people of Australia.

4. That an amendment to the Commonwealth Constitution to remove its discriminatory clauses relating to aborigines be a major item in Labor campaigning for the future until the objective is attained.

34: AUTOMATION

The Federal Executive agreed to appoint a Specialist C ommittee to consider all the social and economic aspects of automation.

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3 35 5: DELEGATION TO SINGAPORE The Federal Executive accepted an invitation from the Government of Singapore to send a delega-tion and appointed Mr. C.S. Wyndham; Mr. W. R. Colbourne; Hon. R.W. Holt; Mr. V.S.C. Williams; Mr . G.T. Virgo; Mr. F. Whitby; and Mr. F.E.

Chamberlain,

CYRIL S. W`IYNDHJiM, General Secretary

0 Date of Issue: 10th June, 11965.

Additional copies of this statement may be obtained from the`Australian Labor Party Federal Secretariat on request.

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