Robert Menzies free essay sample

Robert Gordon Menzies was Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister. He held the office twice, from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. Altogether he was Prime Minister for over 18 years – still the record term for an Australian Prime Minister. Robert Menzies was born in Victoria in 1894. He went to primary school in Ballarat, then to a high school at Wesley College in Melbourne. He graduated in law from the University of Melbourne in 1916 and became a barrister in 1918. He debuted in court in an Engineers Case and won in 1920 and established his reputation as a barrister. Menzies’ success in the Engineers’ case brought offers of briefs in the area of industrial law. He was involved in much of the litigation surrounding the ongoing maritime and waterfront disputes of the 1920s. In October 1928 Menzies entered the Victorian Legislative Council, having won a by-election for the seat of East Yarra. Within weeks he was made minister without portfolio in a new minority Nationalist State government, formed when the Labor government had lost the support of the cross-bench Country Progressives. During his early years in parliament, Robert was highly involved in international Nationalist Party matters. In 1920 he helped establish the ‘Young Nationalists’ a group that focus’ on attracting young men into politics. The head of the orginisation welcomed the idea and invited Menzie to join the central executive of the National Federation. Later on the Young Nationalists took over the State Nationalist Party orginisation. Robert then won the presidency of the Victorian National Federation in September 1931. Robert Gordon Menzies was 44 years of age when he was sworn in as Prime Minister for the first time on 26 April 1939. Menzies was in office twice, from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. During these 17 years he significantly contributed to Australia’s post-war development and prevented the communist threat from reaching Australia; an issue he considerably focused upon during this time. When Menzies started his position as Prime minister, Australia was still recovering from the effects of war. The citizens were in dire need of some stability in life, as well as basic needs such as materials to build their homes and jobs. The 17 years of which Menzies ran as Prime minister are often referred to as the â€Å"golden era† as it was a time with widespread prosperity, a thriving economy and work for all. Menzies contributed to Australia’s post war development by increasing the standards of living for all Australian’s. This was achieved by increasing full-time employment (during this time unemployment was only 1- 3%). The ratio of home owners rose to 75% of the population, which was the result of Menzies introducing the â€Å"Department of Housing†, â€Å"Home Savings Grants Scheme† and housing loans insurance. There was also great progress in industry, manufacturing output, primary industry production and mineral development. Menzies also introduced a number of schemes to benefit the needy, with tax concessions introduced for married pensioners, he introduced free ‘life saving’ drugs, a National Health Scheme, commonwealth scholarships and invalid pensions. However, when Menzies was elected Prime Minister, Australians were still cautious of the communist threat. Therefore during the 1949 election, Menzies promised to outlaw the communist party of Australia. The Communist Party Dissolution Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives on 27 April 1950. This bill made members of the party ineligible for commonwealth employment, holding office in a trade union, or working in a defense related industry. It also made the party and associated organisations unlawful and they were required to dispose their property. This bill was passed without amendment on October 19, 1950. In March 1951 it was challenged in court and voted to be unconstitutional and therefore invalid. Menzies then attempted give the overnment control of the senate, with a referendum to alter the constitution to follow. The coalition returned and gained control of the senate, but the referendum still failed. In the second half of his time in office, Menzies presided over the passing of more key legislation. These laws included: †¢The Broadcasting and Television Act 1956 (Cth), which covered the introduction of television, including the governments control of the A BC; †¢Various banking acts, including the Reserve Bank Act 1957 (Cth), which separated central banking from other functions. Menzies had to wait until he had control of the Senate to pass these laws; †¢The Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 (Cth), which set in place uniform divorce laws; †¢The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 (Cth), which gave Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia the right to vote in Commonwealth elections; †¢The Currency Act 1963 (Cth), which started the introduction of decimal currency; and †¢The National Service Act 1965 (Cth), which introduced a national military service scheme, and was a response to Australias increasing involvement in the Vietnam War. Menzies’ time as Prime Minister secured any worries Australia had about communism and he introduced policies and formed treaties to keep Australia secure. Menzies also transformed Australia to be an efficient and developed society. He increased the standards of living, realised ‘the great Australian dream’ for many and improved the lives of the needy, as well as introducing many other schemes and benefits, to advance Australia’s post- war development. Martin, Allen, Robert Menzies – A Life, Vol. 1, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1993. http://www. edgestudio. com/words-to-time-calculator http://www. parliament. nsw. gov. au/prod/web/common. nsf/key/HistoryWar Author: Unknown, Title: bookrags, URL: http://www. bookrags. com/biography/robert-gordon-menzies-sir /, Date Modified: Unknown Author: ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company), Title: Menzies, URL: http://www. abc. net. au/schoolstv/australians/menzies. tm , Date Modified: Unknown Author: Multiple inputs, Title: Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, URL: en. wikipedia. org , Date Modified: Unknown Author: Michelle Grattan, Title: Australian Prime Ministers, Place Published: Australia, Date Published: 2000 Author: A. W. Martin, Title: Robert Menzies: A Life (volume 1), Place Published: Melbourne, Australia, Date Published: 1993 Author: A. W. Martin, Title: Robert Menzies: A Life (volume 2), Place Published: Victoria, Australia, Date Published: 1993