Day: September 10, 1981

The “Four Unions” who left the Victorian ALP during the ALP split of 1955 were supporters of Bob Hawke and wanted to turn the tide from Leftwing control of the Victorian ALP Branch. This photo shows Prime Minister Bob Hawke at the Sydney Town Hall addressing delegates at the 1984 Labor Council Annual General meeting. Labor Council secretary Barrie Unsworth leans back on the stage. Photo: from Michael Easson papers, Noel Butlin Archives, Menzies Library, Australian National University.

(1981-83) Can the Socialist Left be Beaten in Victoria?

Hawke’s supporters are as far as ever from winning control of the Victorian ALP. This emerges from an analysis of the likely effect of the affiliation of Right-wing unions to the Victorian party and is important, given Hawke’s need to expand his base if he is to become Labor leader.

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