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{{Short description|Former political party in Australia}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox Political Party
{{Infobox political party
| colorcode = {{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}
| name = Free Trade Party
|name = Free Trade Party
| native_name = Free Trade and Liberal Association
|logo =
| logo =
| logo_size =
| leader1_title = Historic leaders
| caption =
| leader1_name = [[Henry Parkes]],<br />[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]],<br />[[Joseph Cook]]
| foundation = {{Start date|1887}}
| colorcode = {{party color|Free Trade Party}}
| abbreviation =
| dissolution = {{End date|1909}}
| leader1_title = [[#Leaders|Leader]]
| merged = [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]]
| leader1_name = {{plainlist|
| headquarters = [[Canberra]]
* [[Henry Parkes]]
| ideology = [[Economic liberalism]]<br />[[Free trade]]<br />[[Criticisms of socialism|Anti-socialism]]
* [[George Reid]] (1901–1908)
| position = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]]
* [[Joseph Cook]] (1908–1909)
| international = ''None''
}}
| country = Australia
| leader2_title = Deputy Leader
| leader2_name = [[Joseph Cook]] (1904–1908)
| founder =
| founded = {{start date and age|April 1889}}<ref name=Kemp>{{cite book |last=Kemp |first=David |author-link=David Kemp (politician) |date=2019 |title=A Free Country: Australians' Search for Utopia 1861–1901 |url= |publisher=[[Melbourne University Publishing]] |page= |isbn=9780522873498 }}</ref>
| dissolved = {{end date and age|May 1909}}
| merger = {{plainlist|
* {{nowrap|Liberal Political Association}}
* Free Trade Association
}}
| split =
| predecessor =
| merged =
| successor = [[Liberal Party (Australia, 1909)|Liberal]]
| headquarters = [[Hunter Street, Sydney|Hunter Street]], [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]<ref name=Kemp/>
| newspaper =
| think_tank =
| membership_year =
| membership =
| ideology = {{plainlist|
* '''1889–1900:'''
* [[Federalism]]
* [[Liberalism in Australia|Liberalism]] ([[Colonial liberalism|Colonial]])<ref name=Kemp/>
* ''[[Laissez-faire]]'' (factions)<ref name=Kemp/>
* '''1901–1909:'''
* [[Federalism]]
* {{nowrap|[[Conservatism]] ([[Conservatism in Australia|Australian]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Brett |first=Judith |author-link=Judith Brett |date=2012 |title=Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class: From Alfred Deakin to John Howard |url= |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |page=21 |isbn=978-0521536349}}</ref>}}
* [[Classical liberalism]]<ref name=Kemp/>
* [[Anti-socialism]]<ref name=griffiths>{{cite thesis |last1=Griffiths |first1=Phil |date=January 1998 |title=The Decline of Free Trade In Australian Politics, 1901–1909 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330512036_The_decline_of_free_trade_in_Australian_politics_1901-1909 |chapter=Chapter 2: Reid's anti-socialist gamble |pages=15–25 |publisher=[[Macquarie University]] |doi=10.13140/RG.2.2.12644.01927 }}</ref>
}}
| position = [[Centre-right politics|Centre-right]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191823541.001.0001/acref-9780191823541-e-22 |title=Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association |date= |website=oxfordreference.com |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |url-access=subscription }}</ref> to [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]]<ref name=griffiths/><ref>{{cite journal|edition=37|last1=Griffiths|first1=Phil|date=2024 |title=White Australia and the Labour Movement|url=http://brisbanelabourhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/QJLH-Issue-37.pdf |page=20 |journal=The Queensland Journal of Labour History }}</ref>
| religion =
| national =
| colours = {{colorbox|{{party color|Free Trade Party}}|border=silver}} [[Yellow]]
| seats1_title = [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|28|75|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}{{small|([[Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1901–1903|1901–1903]])}}
| seats2_title = [[Australian Senate|Senate]]
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|17|36|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}{{small|([[Members of the Australian Senate, 1901–1903|1901–1903]])}}
| seats3_title = [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]]
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|79|124|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}{{small|([[Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1887–1889|1887–1889]])}}
| country = Australia
}}
}}
{{Liberalism in Australia}}
{{Liberalism in Australia}}

The '''Free Trade Party''' which was officially known as the '''Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association''', also referred to as the '''Revenue Tariff Party''' in some states, was an [[Australia]]n political party, formally organised in 1887 in New South Wales, in time for the [[1887 New South Wales colonial election|1887 colony election]], which the party won. It advocated the abolition of [[protectionism]], especially [[protective tariff]]s and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. However, many members also advocated use of minimal tariffs for government [[revenue]] purposes only. Its most prominent leader was [[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]], who led the [[Reid Government]] as the fourth [[Prime Minister of Australia]] (1904–05). In New South Wales it was succeeded by the Liberal and Reform Association in 1902, and federally by the '''Anti-Socialist Party''' in 1906. In 1909, the Anti-Socialist Party merged with the [[Protectionist Party]] to form the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]].
The '''Free Trade Party''', officially known as the '''Free Trade and Liberal Association''', and also referred to as the '''Revenue Tariff Party''' in some states, was an [[Australian political party]], formally organised in 1887 in New South Wales, in time for the [[1887 New South Wales colonial election]], which the party won.

It advocated the abolition of [[protectionism]], especially [[protective tariff]]s and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. However, many members also advocated use of minimal tariffs for government [[revenue]] purposes only. Its most prominent leader was [[George Reid]], who led the [[Reid government]] as the fourth [[Prime Minister of Australia]] (1904–1905).

In New South Wales, it was succeeded by the Liberal and Reform Association in 1902, and federally by the '''Anti-Socialist Party''' in 1906. In 1909, the Anti-Socialist Party merged with the [[Protectionist Party]] to form the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party|Liberal Party]].


==History==
==History==
[[Image:George Reid crop.jpg|upright|thumb|[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]], Prime Minister of Australia 1904–1905]]
[[Image:George Reid crop.jpg|upright|thumb|[[George Reid]], Prime Minister of Australia 1904–1905]]
The party was centred on [[New South Wales]], where its leaders were [[Henry Parkes|Sir Henry Parkes]] and [[George Reid (Australian politician)|Sir George Reid]]. It dominated New South Wales colonial politics before [[Federation of Australia|federation]]. It first contested the [[1887 New South Wales colonial election|1887 New South Wales election]].


The party was centred on [[New South Wales]], where its leaders were [[Henry Parkes|Sir Henry Parkes]] and [[George Reid|Sir George Reid]]. It dominated New South Wales colonial politics before [[Federation of Australia|federation]]. It first contested the [[1887 New South Wales colonial election|1887 New South Wales election]].
At the [[1901 Australian federal election|1901 elections]] for the first [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]], the Free Traders, who campaigned in some states as the Revenue Tariff Party, formed the second largest group in the [[Australian House of Representatives]], with 25 seats. Reid became the Parliament's first [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Opposition Leader]] with [[William McMillan (Australian politician)|William McMillan]] as his deputy, later becoming [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] in 1904–05. [[Dugald Thomson]] became deputy leader of the party in early 1904 following McMillan's retirement. Thomson would himself hand over the Deputy position to [[Joseph Cook]] on 28 July 1905 following the fall of the [[Reid Government]].


At the [[1901 Australian federal election|1901 elections]] for the first [[Parliament of Australia|Commonwealth Parliament]], the Free Traders, who campaigned in some states as the Revenue Tariff Party, formed the second largest group in the [[Australian House of Representatives]], with 25 seats. Reid became the Parliament's first [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Opposition Leader]] with [[William McMillan (Australian politician)|William McMillan]] as his deputy, later becoming [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] in 1904–05. [[Dugald Thomson]] became deputy leader of the party in early 1904 following McMillan's retirement. Thomson would himself hand over the Deputy position to [[Joseph Cook]] on 28 July 1905 following the fall of the [[Reid government]].
A separate [[Revenue Tariff Party (Tasmania)|Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party]] contested the [[1903 Australian federal election|1903 federal election]] in Tasmania and won two seats but also sat and merged with the Free Trade Party in federal Parliament.

A separate [[Revenue Tariff Party (Tasmania)|Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party]] contested the [[1903 Australian federal election|1903 federal election]] in Tasmania and won two seats. However, the Tasmanian party sat and merged with the Free Trade Party in federal Parliament.


After the question of tariffs had largely been settled, Reid cast around for another cause to justify his party's existence. He settled on opposition to socialism, criticising both the [[Australian Labour Party]] and the support offered by it to the [[Protectionist Party]], led by [[Alfred Deakin]]. Reid adopted a strategy of trying to reorient the party system along Labour vs non-Labour lines – prior to the [[1906 Australian federal election|1906 election]], he renamed the Free Trade Party to the Anti-Socialist Party. Reid envisaged a spectrum running from socialist to anti-socialist, with the Protectionist Party in the middle. This attempt struck a chord with politicians who were steeped in the [[Westminster system|Westminster tradition]] and regarded a [[two-party system]] as very much the norm.<ref>[https://www.cis.org.au/app/uploads/2015/04/images/stories/policy-magazine/2009-autumn/25-1-09-charles-richardson.pdf Fusion: The Party System We Had To Have? - by Charles Richardson CIS 25 January 2009]</ref>
After the question of tariffs had largely been settled, Reid cast around for another cause to justify his party's existence. He settled on opposition to socialism, criticising both the [[Australian Labour Party]] and the support offered by it to the [[Protectionist Party]], led by [[Alfred Deakin]]. Reid adopted a strategy of trying to reorient the party system along Labour vs non-Labour lines – prior to the [[1906 Australian federal election|1906 election]], he renamed the Free Trade Party to the Anti-Socialist Party. Reid envisaged a spectrum running from socialist to anti-socialist, with the Protectionist Party in the middle. This attempt struck a chord with politicians who were steeped in the [[Westminster system|Westminster tradition]] and regarded a [[two-party system]] as very much the norm.<ref>[https://www.cis.org.au/app/uploads/2015/04/images/stories/policy-magazine/2009-autumn/25-1-09-charles-richardson.pdf Fusion: The Party System We Had To Have? - by Charles Richardson CIS 25 January 2009]</ref>
Line 31: Line 77:
The Labor Party and the FTP/ASP continued to grow in electoral strength at the expense of the Protectionist vote. Some Protectionists continued their exodus to Labor and the ASP.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
The Labor Party and the FTP/ASP continued to grow in electoral strength at the expense of the Protectionist vote. Some Protectionists continued their exodus to Labor and the ASP.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}


When Deakin proposed the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]], a "Fusion" of the two non-Labour parties, Reid resigned as party leader on 16 November 1908. The following day, [[Joseph Cook]] was made leader until the parties merged.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/leader-of-the-opposition.html |title=Leader of the Opposition: Parliamentary Education Office |access-date=31 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506102519/https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/leader-of-the-opposition.html |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
When Deakin proposed the [[Commonwealth Liberal Party]], a "Fusion" of the two non-Labour parties, Reid announced his intention to resign as party leader on 16 November 1908. [[Joseph Cook]] was elected leader unopposed on 26 November,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10163230?searchTerm=Cook%20leader|title=The Direct Opposition: Mr. J. Cook Chosen Leader|newspaper=Argus |date=27 November 1908 }}</ref> and he led the party until the merger with the Protectionists. No deputy leader was elected under Cook.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/229101881?searchTerm=Cook%20deputy%20leader|title=Federal Opposition: No Deputy-Leader To Be Appointed|newspaper=Australian Star |date=December 1908 }}</ref>


==Leaders==
==Electoral results==
===New South Wales Parliament===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
===Parliament of Australia===
! No.
{| class=wikitable
! Leader<br /><small>(birth–death)</small>
! Portrait
! Electorate
! Took office
! Left office
! Term
! colspan="2"|Premier {{small|(term)}}
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"|1
| colspan=7|[[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| rowspan="3"|[[Henry Parkes]]<br /><small>(1815–1896)</small>
| rowspan="3"|[[File:Henryparkes.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="3"|[[Electoral district of St Leonards|St Leonards]], NSW
| rowspan="3"|1887
| rowspan="3"|22 October 1891
| rowspan="3"|{{age in years|4 February 1887|22 October 1891}} years
| height=10 style="background-color: {{party color|Free Trade Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! style="font-weight:normal"|'''''[[Parkes ministry (1887–1889)|Parkes]]''''' <small>{{nowrap|(1887–1889)}}</small>
|-
|-
| height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! Election year
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Dibbs ministry (1889)|Dibbs]] <small>{{nowrap|(1889)}}</small>
! # of<br />overall votes
! % of<br />overall vote
! # of<br />overall seats won
! +/–
! Leader
|-
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Free Trade Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! [[1901 Australian federal election|1901]]
! style="font-weight:normal"|'''''[[Parkes ministry (1889–1891)|Parkes]]''''' <small>{{nowrap|(1889–1891)}}</small>
| 151,960 (#2)
| 30.03
| {{Composition bar|28|75|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| <center>–</center>
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"|2
! [[1903 Australian federal election|1903]]
| rowspan="3"|[[George Reid]]<br /><small>(1860–1947)</small>
| 247,774 (#'''1''')
| rowspan="3"|[[File:George Reid cph.3c31684.jpg|100px]]
| 34.37
| [[Electoral district of East Sydney|East Sydney]], NSW
| {{Composition bar|24|75|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| 18 November 1891
| <center>{{decrease}} 4</center>
| 17 July 1894
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
| rowspan="3"|{{ayd|18 November 1891|29 March 1901}}
| height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Dibbs ministry (1891–1894)|Dibbs]] <small>{{nowrap|(1891–1894)}}</small>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Electoral district of Sydney-King|Sydney-King]], NSW
! [[1906 Australian federal election|1906]]
| rowspan="2"|17 July 1894
| 363,257 (#'''1''')
| rowspan="2"|29 March 1901
| 38.17
| {{Composition bar|26|75|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| style="background-color: {{party color|Free Trade Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! style="font-weight:normal"|'''''[[Reid ministry (New South Wales)|Reid]]''''' <small>{{nowrap|(1894–1899)}}</small>
| <center>{{increase}} 2</center>
|-
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
| height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Lyne ministry|Lyne]] <small>{{nowrap|(1899–1901)}}</small>
|}
|}


===Australian Parliament===
{| class=wikitable
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! No.
! Leader<br /><small>(birth–death)</small>
! Portrait
! Electorate
! Took office
! Left office
! Term
! colspan="2"|Prime Minister {{small|(term)}}
|-
|-
! rowspan="6"|(2)
| colspan=7|[[Australian Senate|Senate]]
| rowspan="6"|[[George Reid]]<br /><small>(1860–1947)</small>
| rowspan="6"|[[File:George Reid cph.3c31684.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="6"|[[Division of East Sydney|East Sydney]], Aus
| rowspan="6"|29 March 1901
| rowspan="6"|16 November 1908
| rowspan="6"|{{ayd|29 March 1901|16 November 1908}}
| height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Barton ministry|Barton]] <small>{{nowrap|(1901–1903)}}</small>
|-
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! Election year
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[First Deakin ministry|Deakin]] <small>{{nowrap|(1903–1904)}}</small>
! # of<br />overall votes
! % of<br />overall vote
! # of<br />overall seats won
! +/–
! Leader
|-
|-
| height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Australian Labor Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! [[1901 Australian federal election|1901]]
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Watson ministry|Watson]] <small>{{nowrap|(1904)}}</small>
| 1,053,012 (#2)
| 39.44
| {{Composition bar|17|36|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| <center>–</center>
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
|-
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Free Trade Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! [[1903 Australian federal election|1903]]
! style="font-weight:normal"|'''''[[Reid ministry|Reid]]''''' <small>{{nowrap|(1904–1905)}}</small>
| 986,030 (#'''1''')
| 34.33
| {{Composition bar|12|36|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| <center>{{decrease}} 5</center>
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
|-
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Protectionist Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
! [[1906 Australian federal election|1906]]
! style="font-weight:normal"|[[Second Deakin ministry|Deakin]] <small>{{nowrap|(1905–1908)}}</small>
| 1,384,662 (#'''1''')
|-
| 46.53
| rowspan="2" height=5 style="background-color: {{party color|Australian Labor Party}}; border-bottom:solid 0 gray"|
| {{Composition bar|14|36|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
! style="font-weight:normal" rowspan="2"|[[First Fisher ministry|Fisher]] <small>{{nowrap|(1908–1909)}}</small>
| <center>{{increase}} 2</center>
|-
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
! 3
| [[Joseph Cook]]<br /><small>(1860–1947)</small>
| [[File:Joseph Cook - Crown Studios 03.jpg|100px]]
| [[Division of Parramatta|Parramatta]], Aus
| 26 November 1908
| 26 May 1909
| {{age in days|26 November 1908|26 May 1909}} days
|}
|}


==Electoral results==
===Parliament of New South Wales===
===Parliament of New South Wales===
{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
|+[[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
|-
| colspan=7|[[New South Wales Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]]
|-
|-
! Election year
! Election year
Line 117: Line 187:
| 78,238 (#'''1''')
| 78,238 (#'''1''')
| 60.75
| 60.75
| {{Composition bar|79|124|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|79|124|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>–</center>
| {{center|–}}
| <center>[[Henry Parkes]]</center>
| {{center|[[Henry Parkes]]}}
|-
|-
! [[1889 New South Wales colonial election|1889]]
! [[1889 New South Wales colonial election|1889]]
| 73,348 (#'''1''')
| 73,348 (#'''1''')
| 48.63
| 48.63
| {{Composition bar|66|137|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|66|137|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>{{decrease}} 13</center>
| {{center|{{decrease}} 13}}
| <center>[[Henry Parkes]]</center>
| {{center|[[Henry Parkes]]}}
|-
|-
! [[1891 New South Wales colonial election|1891]]
! [[1891 New South Wales colonial election|1891]]
| 65,850 (#2)
| 65,850 (#2)
| 36.49
| 36.49
| {{Composition bar|44|141|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|44|141|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>{{decrease}} 22</center>
| {{center|{{decrease}} 22}}
| <center>[[Henry Parkes]]</center>
| {{center|[[Henry Parkes]]}}
|-
|-
! [[1894 New South Wales colonial election|1894]]
! [[1894 New South Wales colonial election|1894]]
| 60,966 (#'''1''')
| 60,966 (#'''1''')
| 30.34
| 30.34
| {{Composition bar|50|125|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|50|125|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>{{increase}} 6</center>
| {{center|{{increase}} 6}}
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
|-
! [[1895 New South Wales colonial election|1895]]
! [[1895 New South Wales colonial election|1895]]
| 56,347 (#'''1''')
| 56,347 (#'''1''')
| 37.15
| 37.15
| {{Composition bar|58|125|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|58|125|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>{{increase}} 8</center>
| {{center|{{increase}} 8}}
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
|-
! [[1898 New South Wales colonial election|1898]]
! [[1898 New South Wales colonial election|1898]]
| 58,214 (#2)
| 58,214 (#2)
| 32.89
| 32.89
| {{Composition bar|45|125|hex={{Free Trade Party/meta/color}}}}
| {{Composition bar|45|125|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| <center>{{decrease}} 13</center>
| {{center|{{decrease}} 13}}
| <center>[[George Reid (Australian politician)|George Reid]]</center>
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|}

===Parliament of Australia===
{| class=wikitable
|+[[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|-
! Election year
! # of<br />overall votes
! % of<br />overall vote
! # of<br />overall seats won
! +/–
! Leader
|-
! [[1901 Australian federal election|1901]]
| 151,960 (#2)
| 30.03
| {{Composition bar|28|75|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
! [[1903 Australian federal election|1903]]
| 247,774 (#'''1''')
| 34.37
| {{Composition bar|24|75|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|{{decrease}} 4}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
! [[1906 Australian federal election|1906]]
| 363,257 (#'''1''')
| 38.17
| {{Composition bar|26|75|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|{{increase}} 2}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|}

{| class=wikitable
|+[[Australian Senate|Senate]]
|-
! Election year
! # of<br />overall votes
! % of<br />overall vote
! # of<br />overall seats won
! +/–
! Leader
|-
! [[1901 Australian federal election|1901]]
| 1,053,012 (#2)
| 39.44
| {{Composition bar|17|36|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
! [[1903 Australian federal election|1903]]
| 986,030 (#'''1''')
| 34.33
| {{Composition bar|12|36|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|{{decrease}} 5}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|-
! [[1906 Australian federal election|1906]]
| 1,384,662 (#'''1''')
| 46.53
| {{Composition bar|14|36|hex={{party color|Free Trade Party}}}}
| {{center|{{increase}} 2}}
| {{center|[[George Reid]]}}
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Commons category|Free Trade Party}}
* [[Liberalism in Australia]]
* [[Liberalism worldwide]]
* [[1901 Australian federal election]]
* [[1901 Australian federal election]]
* [[1887 New South Wales colonial election]]
* [[1887 New South Wales colonial election]]
* [[Liberalism in Australia]]
* [[Liberalism worldwide]]


==References==
==References==
Line 168: Line 302:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |id2=reid-sir-george-houstoun-8173 |title=Reid, Sir George Houstoun (1845–1918) |first=W. G. |last=McMinn |year=1998 |accessdate=19 July 2012}}
* {{Australian Dictionary of Biography |id2=reid-sir-george-houstoun-8173 |title=Reid, Sir George Houstoun (1845–1918) |first=W. G. |last=McMinn |year=1998 |access-date=19 July 2012}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category inline|Free Trade Party}}


{{Liberal Party of Australia}}
{{Liberal Party of Australia}}
Line 174: Line 311:
{{New South Wales political parties}}
{{New South Wales political parties}}


[[Category:Liberal parties in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct liberal political parties|Australia 1880s]]
[[Category:Defunct liberal political parties|Australia 1880s]]
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 13:41, 26 September 2024

Free Trade Party
Free Trade and Liberal Association
Leader
Deputy LeaderJoseph Cook (1904–1908)
FoundedApril 1889; 135 years ago (April 1889)[1]
DissolvedMay 1909; 115 years ago (May 1909)
Merger of
  • Liberal Political Association
  • Free Trade Association
Succeeded byLiberal
HeadquartersHunter Street, Sydney, New South Wales[1]
Ideology
Political positionCentre-right[4] to right-wing[3][5]
Colours  Yellow
House of Representatives
28 / 75
(1901–1903)
Senate
17 / 36
(1901–1903)
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
79 / 124
(1887–1889)
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The Free Trade Party, officially known as the Free Trade and Liberal Association, and also referred to as the Revenue Tariff Party in some states, was an Australian political party, formally organised in 1887 in New South Wales, in time for the 1887 New South Wales colonial election, which the party won.

It advocated the abolition of protectionism, especially protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. However, many members also advocated use of minimal tariffs for government revenue purposes only. Its most prominent leader was George Reid, who led the Reid government as the fourth Prime Minister of Australia (1904–1905).

In New South Wales, it was succeeded by the Liberal and Reform Association in 1902, and federally by the Anti-Socialist Party in 1906. In 1909, the Anti-Socialist Party merged with the Protectionist Party to form the Liberal Party.

History

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George Reid, Prime Minister of Australia 1904–1905

The party was centred on New South Wales, where its leaders were Sir Henry Parkes and Sir George Reid. It dominated New South Wales colonial politics before federation. It first contested the 1887 New South Wales election.

At the 1901 elections for the first Commonwealth Parliament, the Free Traders, who campaigned in some states as the Revenue Tariff Party, formed the second largest group in the Australian House of Representatives, with 25 seats. Reid became the Parliament's first Opposition Leader with William McMillan as his deputy, later becoming Prime Minister in 1904–05. Dugald Thomson became deputy leader of the party in early 1904 following McMillan's retirement. Thomson would himself hand over the Deputy position to Joseph Cook on 28 July 1905 following the fall of the Reid government.

A separate Tasmanian Revenue Tariff Party contested the 1903 federal election in Tasmania and won two seats. However, the Tasmanian party sat and merged with the Free Trade Party in federal Parliament.

After the question of tariffs had largely been settled, Reid cast around for another cause to justify his party's existence. He settled on opposition to socialism, criticising both the Australian Labour Party and the support offered by it to the Protectionist Party, led by Alfred Deakin. Reid adopted a strategy of trying to reorient the party system along Labour vs non-Labour lines – prior to the 1906 election, he renamed the Free Trade Party to the Anti-Socialist Party. Reid envisaged a spectrum running from socialist to anti-socialist, with the Protectionist Party in the middle. This attempt struck a chord with politicians who were steeped in the Westminster tradition and regarded a two-party system as very much the norm.[6]

The Labor Party and the FTP/ASP continued to grow in electoral strength at the expense of the Protectionist vote. Some Protectionists continued their exodus to Labor and the ASP.[citation needed]

When Deakin proposed the Commonwealth Liberal Party, a "Fusion" of the two non-Labour parties, Reid announced his intention to resign as party leader on 16 November 1908. Joseph Cook was elected leader unopposed on 26 November,[7] and he led the party until the merger with the Protectionists. No deputy leader was elected under Cook.[8]

Leaders

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New South Wales Parliament

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No. Leader
(birth–death) 		Portrait Electorate Took office Left office Term Premier (term)
1 Henry Parkes
(1815–1896) 		St Leonards, NSW 1887 22 October 1891 4 years Parkes (1887–1889)
Dibbs (1889)
Parkes (1889–1891)
2 George Reid
(1860–1947) 		East Sydney, NSW 18 November 1891 17 July 1894 9 years, 131 days Dibbs (1891–1894)
Sydney-King, NSW 17 July 1894 29 March 1901 Reid (1894–1899)
Lyne (1899–1901)

Australian Parliament

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No. Leader
(birth–death) 		Portrait Electorate Took office Left office Term Prime Minister (term)
(2) George Reid
(1860–1947) 		East Sydney, Aus 29 March 1901 16 November 1908 7 years, 232 days Barton (1901–1903)
Deakin (1903–1904)
Watson (1904)
Reid (1904–1905)
Deakin (1905–1908)
Fisher (1908–1909)
3 Joseph Cook
(1860–1947) 		Parramatta, Aus 26 November 1908 26 May 1909 181 days

Electoral results

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Parliament of New South Wales

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Legislative Assembly
Election year # of
overall votes 		% of
overall vote 		# of
overall seats won 		+/– Leader
1887 78,238 (#1) 60.75
79 / 124
–
Henry Parkes
1889 73,348 (#1) 48.63
66 / 137
Decrease 13
Henry Parkes
1891 65,850 (#2) 36.49
44 / 141
Decrease 22
Henry Parkes
1894 60,966 (#1) 30.34
50 / 125
Increase 6
George Reid
1895 56,347 (#1) 37.15
58 / 125
Increase 8
George Reid
1898 58,214 (#2) 32.89
45 / 125
Decrease 13
George Reid

Parliament of Australia

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House of Representatives
Election year # of
overall votes 		% of
overall vote 		# of
overall seats won 		+/– Leader
1901 151,960 (#2) 30.03
28 / 75
–
George Reid
1903 247,774 (#1) 34.37
24 / 75
Decrease 4
George Reid
1906 363,257 (#1) 38.17
26 / 75
Increase 2
George Reid
Senate
Election year # of
overall votes 		% of
overall vote 		# of
overall seats won 		+/– Leader
1901 1,053,012 (#2) 39.44
17 / 36
–
George Reid
1903 986,030 (#1) 34.33
12 / 36
Decrease 5
George Reid
1906 1,384,662 (#1) 46.53
14 / 36
Increase 2
George Reid

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kemp, David (2019). A Free Country: Australians' Search for Utopia 1861–1901. Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 9780522873498.
  2. ^ Brett, Judith (2012). Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class: From Alfred Deakin to John Howard. Cambridge University Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-0521536349.
  3. ^ a b Griffiths, Phil (January 1998). "Chapter 2: Reid's anti-socialist gamble". The Decline of Free Trade In Australian Politics, 1901–1909 (Thesis). Macquarie University. pp. 15–25. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.12644.01927.
  4. ^ "Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association". oxfordreference.com. Oxford University Press.
  5. ^ Griffiths, Phil (2024). "White Australia and the Labour Movement" (PDF). The Queensland Journal of Labour History (37 ed.): 20.
  6. ^ Fusion: The Party System We Had To Have? - by Charles Richardson CIS 25 January 2009
  7. ^ "The Direct Opposition: Mr. J. Cook Chosen Leader". Argus. 27 November 1908.
  8. ^ "Federal Opposition: No Deputy-Leader To Be Appointed". Australian Star. December 1908.

Bibliography

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