Free Trade Party facts for kids

The Free Trade Party was an Australian political party that existed from 1889 to 1909. It was officially known as the Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association. In some states, it was also called the Revenue Tariff Party. Later, in 1906, it changed its name to the Anti-Socialist Party.

The party's main goal was to remove tariffs. Tariffs are like taxes on goods that are imported (brought into a country) or exported (sent out of a country). They believed that having "free trade," which means trading without these taxes or other restrictions, would be good for everyone. However, many members also supported some tariffs if they helped the government collect money.

What Was the Free Trade Party?

The Free Trade Party was a political group in Australia. Their main idea was to make trade easier by removing taxes on goods moving between countries. They thought this would help businesses and people.

Early Days in New South Wales

The party was strongest in New South Wales. Its important leaders there were Sir Henry Parkes and Sir George Reid. Before Australia became a single country (this event is called federation), the Free Trade Party was a very important political group in New South Wales.

Joining the First Australian Parliament

After the elections for the first Commonwealth Parliament, the Free Traders became the second largest group. They won 25 seats in the Australian House of Representatives. George Reid became the first Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament. This means he was the main leader of the parties not in power.

George Reid: From Opposition to Prime Minister

George Reid later became the Prime Minister of Australia from 1904 to 1905. The deputy leader of the Free Trade Party was Willima McMillan. When McMillan retired in 1903, Joseph Cook took over as the party's deputy leader.

George Reid, Prime Minister of Australia 1904-1905

A separate group called the Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party also took part in the 1903 federal election in Tasmania. They won two seats and then joined with the Free Trade Party in the federal parliament.

Changing Focus: From Tariffs to Anti-Socialism

After the issue of tariffs was mostly decided, George Reid looked for a new main goal for his party. He decided to focus on being against socialism. Socialism is an idea about how society and the economy should be organised. Reid criticised both the Australian Labor Party and the Protectionist Party, which was led by Alfred Deakin.

Because of this new focus, the Free Trade Party changed its name to the Anti-Socialist Party (ASP) before the 1906 federal election. Both the Labor Party and the Free Trade Party (or ASP) continued to gain more support in elections. Some members of the Protectionist Party even left to join either the Labor Party or the Anti-Socialist Party.

The Party Comes to an End

George Reid retired from politics in 1908. After he left, Joseph Cook became the new leader of the party. In 1909, Joseph Cook agreed to merge the Anti-Socialist Party with the Protectionists. Together, they formed a new group called the Commonwealth Liberal Party. This marked the end of the Free Trade Party.

• McMinn, W. G. (1998). "Reid, Sir George Houstoun (1845–1918)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved on 19 July 2012. 

Images for kids

• 

  George Reid, Prime Minister of Australia 1904–1905

See also

In Spanish: Partido de Libre Comercio para niños