Commonwealth Liberal Party facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Commonwealth Liberal Party
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| Leader | Alfred Deakin |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Dissolved | 1917 |
| Preceded by | Free Trade Party Protectionist Party |
| Succeeded by | Nationalist Party of Australia |
| Ideology | Liberalism Conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
The Commonwealth Liberal Party (CLP) was an important political party in Australia. It existed from 1909 to 1917. People also called it The Fusion or the Deakinite Liberal Party. This party was the first direct ancestor of today's Liberal Party of Australia.
Contents
How the Commonwealth Liberal Party Started
The Commonwealth Liberal Party was formed in 1909. This happened after the Australian Labor Party (ALP) formed its second government in 1908. Business leaders wanted the other parties to work together. They asked Alfred Deakin, who led the Protectionist Party, and Joseph Cook, who led the Anti-Socialist Party, to join forces.
In 1909, the Protectionists and Anti-Socialists agreed to combine. They created the Commonwealth Liberal Party. Alfred Deakin became the new party's first leader. Joseph Cook was his deputy leader. Some Protectionists who had more liberal ideas decided to leave. They joined the Labor Party instead.
The Party's Time in Power
The new Commonwealth Liberal Party had more seats in the Australian House of Representatives. They used their numbers to make Prime Minister Andrew Fisher resign. Alfred Deakin then became Prime Minister for the third time.
However, the CLP did not stay in power for long. They lost the next election in 1910. This was less than a year after they formed. The Labor Party won that election.
Joseph Cook took over as leader from Deakin before the 1913 election. Cook's party won the election by just one seat. One year later, Cook tried to pass a new law. This law would remove special rules for members of trade unions.
Cook knew that the Labor Party had enough votes in the Australian Senate to stop his law. The Senate rejected the law twice. This gave Cook a reason to call an early election for September 5, 1914. This was Australia's first ever double dissolution election. A double dissolution happens when both houses of parliament are dissolved. However, the CLP lost badly in this election. The Labor Party became the government again.
How the Party Ended
In November 1916, the Commonwealth Liberal Party made a deal. They joined with Prime Minister Billy Hughes. Hughes had left the Labor Party. This was because he supported conscription during World War I. Conscription meant forcing people to join the army. Hughes then started a new group called the National Labor Party.
In February 1917, the CLP and National Labor parties joined together. They formed a new, bigger party called the Nationalist Party of Australia. Even though more members came from the Liberal side, Billy Hughes became the leader of this new party. Joseph Cook became his deputy.
Today, people often call the Commonwealth Liberal Party the Deakinite Liberal Party. This helps avoid confusing it with the modern Liberal Party of Australia.
Leaders
- Alfred Deakin 1909-1913
- Joseph Cook 1913-1916
Images for kids
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A cartoon by Claude Marquet. It shows "The Fusion" as a camel. Alfred Deakin is its head, and Joseph Cook and John Forrest are its humps.
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See also
In Spanish: Partido Liberal de la Mancomunidad para niños
