United Australia Party – Victoria

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United Australia Party
AbbreviationUAP
Leader Sir Stanley Argyle (1931–40)
Thomas Hollway (1940–45)
Deputy Leader Ian Macfarlan (1931–32; 1934–35)
Robert Menzies (1932–34)
Wilfrid Kent Hughes (1935–40)
Thomas Hollway (1940)
Founded15 September 1931;93 years ago (15 September 1931)
Dissolved5 March 1945;79 years ago (5 March 1945)
Preceded by Nationalist Party
Succeeded by Liberal Party
Political position Centre-right
National affiliation United Australia Party
Legislative Assembly
31 / 65
(1932–1935)
Legislative Council
23 / 34
(1932–1934)

The United Australia Party (UAP) was the state branch of the national United Australia Party in Victoria. [1] The party led the state government under Sir Stanley Argyle between 1932 and 1935, but spent most of its existence in opposition to the Country Party. [2] [3]

Contents

In September 1943, the party entered into a coalition government with the Country Party. [a] The national UAP began to demise in the 1940s, and the UAP's state parliamentary members joined the newly-formed Liberal Party in March 1945. [7]

History

Foundation

On 7 May 1931, the Nationalist Party merged with the All for Australia League and the Australian Party to form the United Australia Party in the federal parliament. [8] [9]

The Victorian branch of the Nationalist Party, which was serving in opposition to the Labor government at the time, reflected this change several months later when it was renamed to the UAP on 15 September 1931. [10] [11] An attempt was made for the United Country Party (UCP) to merge with the UAP at the same time, but this was not successful. [10] [12]

Argyle government

At the 1932 state election, the UAP won 31 seats, just shy of the 33 needed for a majority. [13] [14] Following the election, the UAP formed a coalition with the UCP, with several UCP MPs serving in the ministry. [15] [16] UAP leader Sir Stanley Argyle was sworn in as Premier, replacing Labor's Edmond Hogan, and Robert Menzies served in the newly-formed position of Deputy Premier (replacing Ian Macfarlan as deputy UAP leader). [17] [18]

In 1934, Menzies resigned from the state parliament in order to contest the federal election, and Macfarlan returned to the deputy leadership. [19] [20] The UAP lost four seats at the state election on 2 March 1935 but remained the largest party in parliament, with Argyle returned as premier and UCP leader Albert Dunstan replacing Macfarlan as deputy premier. [21] [22] In a spill on 12 March 1935, Macfarlan lost his position and was replaced as UAP deputy leader by Wilfrid Kent Hughes. [23] [24]

At a meeting of the UCP's Central Council and its parliamentary members on 19 March 1935, the sudden decision was taken to end the coalition after Argle refused to give the UCP more ministerial portfolios. [25] [26] Argyle was forced to form a new ministry comprised entirely of UAP members, accusing the UCP of double-crossing and betraying the UAP. [27] [28]

On 29 March 1935, a motion of no confidence against the Argyle government was moved by Dunstan and supported by UCP and Labor MPs. [29] Argyle resigned as Premier on 2 April 1935 and Dunstan was sworn in, forming a ministry comprised of UCP MPs with the support of Labor in parliament. [30] [31]

Opposition and Country-Liberal faction

Now in opposition, the UAP suffered an internal split as Ian Macfarlan formed a "Country-Liberal" faction on 14 July 1936, which sat on the crossbench (although its members neither resigned nor were expelled from the UAP). [32] [33] The faction − which also included Harry Drew, Frederick Holden, Alfred Kirton, George Knox, Thomas Maltby and Clive Shields − reserved the right to support the Dunstan government on any measures that it approved, advocating conditional negotiation rather than rigid opposition. [34] [35]

The state election on 2 October 1937 saw the UAP again emerge as the largest party with 21 seats, but the UCP continued to form government with the support of Labor. [36] [37] Argyle was re-elected UAP leader following the election and the Country-Liberal faction was disbanded. [38] [39] The Country-Liberal MPs who remained in parliament returned to the UAP opposition benches, with the exception of Holden (who became an independent) and Macfarlan (who became an Independent Liberal). [40] [41] Macfarlan said he left the UAP because its Victorian branch was "controlled by an outside body", the members of which were unknown to the majority of the party's members. [42] [43] [44]

Further losses for the UAP came at the 1940 state election, when its seats deceased to 16, and Labor's support of the UCP government remained in place. [45] [46] Argyle was returned as UAP leader, although only by a majority of two votes, while Thomas Hollway took over from Kent Hughes (who had enlisted in the Army) as deputy leader. [47] [48]

On 23 November 1940, Argyle died and was replaced as UAP leader by Hollway. [49] [50] James Dillon was seen as the frontrunner to become the new deputy leader, but with George Knox and Trevor Oldham also contesting the position, it was left vacant. [51] [52]

Macfarlan rejoined the UAP on 7 May 1943 and was endorsed as the party's candidate in his seat of Brighton. [53] [54]

Coalition government

The UAP was reduced to 13 seats after the 1943 state election. [55] [56] However, instead of being supported by Labor, it was the UAP that gave supply to the UCP. [57] [58]

On 10 September 1943, the Dunstan government was defeated on the floor of parliament after Labor MPs voted for a motion of no confidence brought forward by Hollway on the issue of electoral redistribution. [59] [60] Dunstan resigned as premier on 14 September, and Labor leader John Cain was sworn in. [61] [62]

Four days later on 18 September 1943, Dunstan was again sworn in as premier after the UCP formed a coalition government with the UAP, with members of the UAP serving in ministerial portfolios. [63] [64]

Disbandment

A Victorian division of the Liberal Party of Australia, which had been formed on 13 October 1944, was established between December 1944 and January 1945. [65] [66] The Victorian UAP branch and its parliamentary members joined the Liberal Party on 5 March 1945, with the state parliamentary UAP becoming the state parliamentary Liberal Party, prior to the national UAP being absorbed into the Liberal Party of Australia in October 1945. [67] [68]

Leadership

Leaders

No.Leader
(birth–death)		ElectorateTerm startTerm endTime in officePremier
(term)
1 Agyle, Stanley (cropped).png Sir Stanley Argyle
(1867–1940)		 Toorak 15 September 193123 November 19409 years, 69 days Hogan
(1929–1932)
Himself
(1932–1935)
Dunstan
(1935–1943)
2 TomHollway.jpg Thomas Hollway
(1906–1971)		 Ballarat 3 December 19405 March 19454 years, 92 days
Cain
(1943)
Dunstan
(1943–1945)

Deputy Leaders

No.Leader
(birth–death)		ElectorateTerm startTerm endTime in officeLeader
(term)
1 IanMacfarlanecropped.png Ian Macfarlan
(1881–1964)		 Brighton 15 September 193115 June 1932274 days Argyle
(1931–1940)
2 Robert Menzies in 1939.jpg Robert Menzies
(1894–1978)		 Nunawading 15 June 193231 July 19342 years, 46 days
(1) IanMacfarlanecropped.png Ian Macfarlan
(1881–1964)		 Brighton 31 July 193412 March 1935224 days
3 Kenthughes.jpg Wilfrid Kent Hughes
(1895–1970)		 Kew 12 March 193524 April 19405 years, 43 days
4 TomHollway.jpg Thomas Hollway
(1906–1971)		 Ballarat 24 April 19403 December 1940223 days

Election results

State elections

ElectionLeaderSeats±Total votes %±%Position
1932 Sir Stanley Argyle
31 / 65
Increase2.svg 13271,77840.12%Increase2.svg 1.86Coalition government
1935
25 / 65
Decrease2.svg 7303,62636.17%Decrease2.svg 3.95Opposition
1937
21 / 65
Decrease2.svg 4311,16839.56%Increase2.svg 3.39Opposition
1940
16 / 65
Decrease2.svg 5274,11335.41%Decrease2.svg 4.15Opposition
1943 Thomas Hollway
13 / 65
Decrease2.svg 4198,58212.34%Decrease2.svg 12.34Opposition

Notes

  1. ↑ The Country Party was officially known as the United Country Party (UCP) from October 1930 until March 1947, although it was still commonly referred to as the "Country Party". [4] [5] [6]

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References

  1. ↑ "U.A.P. CONTORTIONS". The Age. 5 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "New Premier". The Brisbane Courier. 16 May 1932. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "U.A.P. Opposition". The Argus. 1 December 1939. p. 5. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "UNITED COUNTRY PARTY". Sunraysia Daily. 30 October 1930. p. 1. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  5. ↑ Dunstan, Albert (7 November 1945). "COUNTRY PARTY". The Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "LIBERAL−CP POLL TALKS". The Herald. 26 March 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "UAP Members Join Liberal Party". The Mercury. 6 March 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "UNITED AUSTRALIA PARLIAMENTARY PARTY FORMED". Townsville Daily Bulletin. 8 May 1931. p. 7. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  9. ↑ Marchant, Sylvia (1998). "The End of the United Australia Party 1939-1943". openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au. Australian National University. p. 11. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025. The United Australia Party was formed on 7 May 1931.
  10. 1 2 "NEW NAME ADOPTED". The Argus. 16 September 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Change of Name in Victoria". The Canberra Times. 16 September 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "NATIONALIST PARTY". Ovens and Murray Advertiser. 16 September 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "Crushing Labor Defeat". Portland Guardian. 16 May 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "THE THIRTY-FIRST PARLIAMENT ELECTED 14 MAY 1932". Psephos: Adam Carr's Electoral Archive. Archived from the original on 9 December 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "U.A.P.-COUNTRY PARTY COALITION". The Albany Advertiser. 19 May 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  16. ↑ "VICTORIAN MINISTRY SWORN IN YESTERDAY". The Corowa Free Press. 20 May 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  17. ↑ "BIG UNITED AUSTRALIA PARTY SUCCESS". Gippsland Times. 16 May 1932. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "MR. MENZIES DEPUTY PREMIER". Shepparton Advertiser. 16 June 1932. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "Deputy Leader Of U.A.P. In House". The Herald. 31 July 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  20. ↑ "Mr. Macfarlan to Become Deputy Leader". The Argus. 1 August 1934. p. 7. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  21. ↑ "MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER". Shepparton Advertiser. 13 March 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  22. ↑ "Mr. Dunstan Deputy-Premier". The West Australian. 16 March 1935. p. 18. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "New U.A.P. Deputy Leader". The Herald. 12 March 1935. p. 5. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  24. ↑ "Mr Macfarlan Loses Deputy Leadership". The Riverine Herald. 13 March 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  25. ↑ "MAY BE DEFEATED: Argyle Nationalist Government". The Australian Worker. 20 March 1935. p. 18. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  26. ↑ Shaw, A.G.L. "Sir Stanley Seymour Argyle (1867–1940)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  27. ↑ "U.C.P. Ministers Withdraw". Warwick Daily News. 21 March 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  28. ↑ "Victorian Crises". The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate. 23 March 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  29. ↑ "No Confidence Motion Carried". The Manganese Record, Peak Hill, Nullagine and Marble Bar Gazett. 29 March 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  30. ↑ "COUNTRY PARTY MINISTRY TO BE FORMED IN VICTORIA". Advocate. 1 April 1935. p. 6. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  31. ↑ "LABOR PROMISES TO SUPPORT COUNTRY PARTY". Recorder. 1 April 1935. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  32. ↑ "COUNTRY-LIBERAL SECTION". The Australasian. 18 July 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  33. ↑ "Country-Liberal Section". The Argus. 27 July 1936. p. 10. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  34. ↑ "Country Liberal Section Formed". Kilmore Free Press. 23 July 1936. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  35. ↑ Wright, R. "Ian Macfarlan (1881–1964)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  36. ↑ "Majority Assured". The Courier Mail. 14 October 1937. p. 14. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  37. ↑ "Ultimatum Issued At Meeting Today". The Herald. 13 October 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  38. ↑ "Country and Liberal Section Disbanded". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 October 1937. p. 10. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  39. ↑ "Defection From the U.A.P." The Argus. 20 October 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  40. ↑ "TWO LIKELY TO LEAVE". The Sun News-Pictorial. 15 October 1937. p. 63. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  41. ↑ "MESSRS. MACFARLAN AND HOLDEN NO LONGER U.A.P. MEMBERS". The Sun News-Pictorial. 20 October 1937. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  42. ↑ "His Politics Unchanged". Melton Express. 23 October 1937. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  43. ↑ ""WHY I LEFT THE U.A.P."". The Age. 17 November 1937. p. 13. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  44. ↑ "Why Mr. Macfarlan Left U.A.P." Gippsland Times. 25 November 1937. p. 6. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  45. ↑ "LABOR GAINS AT U.A.P. EXPENSE". The Sun. 17 March 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  46. ↑ "U.A.P. REVERSES IN VICTORIA". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. 18 March 1940. p. 7. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  47. ↑ "State Parties to Meet". The Age. 28 March 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  48. ↑ "U.A.P. Leadership". The Argus. 25 April 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  49. ↑ "Sir Stanley Argyle Dies". Weekly Times. 30 November 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  50. ↑ "Mr. Hollway Elected". The Argus. 4 December 1940. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  51. ↑ "Mr. Dillon as Deputy". The Age. 26 November 1940. p. 6. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  52. ↑ "Hitch Over Deputy Appointment". The Age. 4 December 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  53. ↑ "MR MACFARLAN, MLA, REJOINS UAP FOR UNITY REASON". The Argus. 8 May 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  54. ↑ "MR. MACFARLAN REJOINS RANKS OF U.A.P." The Sun News-Pictorial. 8 May 1943. p. 11. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  55. ↑ "DUNSTAN'S MAJORITY ASSURED". Daily Mirror. 14 June 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  56. ↑ "DUNSTAN GOVERNMENT RETURNED". Corryong Courier. 17 June 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  57. ↑ "Sir Albert Arthur Dunstan (1882–1950)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  58. ↑ "JOINT STATE CABINET MOVE TODAY". The Herald. 26 August 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  59. ↑ "Dunstan Government May Be Replaced By U.A.P. Ministry". Daily Examiner. 9 September 1943. p. 4. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  60. ↑ "UAP And Labour Oust Dunstan Government". The Daily News. 10 September 1943. p. 14. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  61. ↑ "DEFEAT OF THE DUNSTAN GOVERNMENT". Advocate. 13 September 1943. p. 2. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  62. ↑ "LABOUR MINISTRY FOR VICTORIA". The Argus. 14 September 1943. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  63. ↑ "DUNSTAN TO BE PREMIER AGAIN". The Newcastle Sun. 15 September 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  64. ↑ "Dunstan Again Premier of Victoria". Daily Examiner. 17 September 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  65. ↑ "THE LIBERAL PARTY'S EXECUTIVE". The Age. 30 December 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  66. ↑ "First Executive Meeting". The Age. 5 January 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  67. ↑ "STATE UAP AND LIBERAL PARTY". The Argus. 5 March 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  68. ↑ "STATE UAP NOW LIBERAL PARTY". The Argus. 6 March 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
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