The Queensland Journal Of Labour History

No. 8, March 2009 ISSN 1832-9926

Contents

EDITORIAL Dale Lorna Jacobsen 1

BLHA President’s Column Greg Mallory 3

IN MEMORIAM Maureen Frances Watson Sheryl Gwyther 6

ARTICLES Eva’s Story Connie Healy 9 The Great Sex Education Pamphlet Katrina Barben 19 Scandal of 1971 A Commitment to Peace: The Women’s Tanya Negerevich 25 International League for Peace and Freedom in Queensland

BOOK REVIEWS Market versus Nature Peter Riedlinger 37 Trade Unionism in Australia Greg Mallory 40 & After the Waterfront Against All Odds Barbara Webster 43 ASIO: The Enemy Within Dan O’Gorman 46 A Probe into Disturbing History Tony Reeves 48 (A Report on Mick Tubbs’ Book Launch) The Flames of Discontent Rekindled at Dale Lorna Jacobsen 51 Woodford Folk Festival (A Review of Two Concerts)

CONTRIBUTORS 54

NOTICEBOARD 56iii

Editorial Dale Lorna Jacobsen

It gives me great pleasure to bring which encompassed two World Wars you this special Women’s edition of and the Vietnam War, WILPF worked The Queensland Journal of Labour towards empowering women of History. For some time I have wanted different social, economic and political to devote a March issue to the stories backgrounds, in the hope of achieving of the Women’s Movement and to peace, disarmament and social justice salute the members of the Union of globally. Tanya Negerevich, a student Australian Women. (We are proud to of Political Science and International say that this issue has been supported Studies at the University of Queensland, by the Queensland members of UAW.) undertook an internship with WILPF, I also acknowledge the co-editorship resulting in a deepening interest in of BLHA member Peter Riedlinger for gender issues and exploration of the this issue. role of women’s peace activism in global society. Eva Bacon was a founding member of the UAW in Queensland and went on And who could forget the great sex to become State Secretary, President, education pamphlet scandal of 1971? national committee member and I remember it well, as does Katrina Enoggera branch activist. It became Barben who challenged Gabby Horan her life’s work. Hence it seemed fitting on talkback radio when Brisbane was to invite Eva’s friend (and BLHA abuzz with debate. member) Connie Healy to write an article celebrating the life of this pint- We also have five important books sized powerful woman. reviewed within these pages: Eric Aarons Market Versus Nature; Mick The second of our major articles, “A Tubbs’ ASIO: The Enemy Within; Commitment to Peace: The Women’s Bradley Bowden’s Against All Odds: International League for Peace and The History of the United Firefighters Freedom in Queensland”, gives an Union in Queensland 1917-2008; insight into the unflagging endeavours Tom Bramble’s: Trade Unionism in of WILPF from its formation as an Australia: A history from flood to international Non-Governmental ebb tide; and After the Waterfront: Organisation in 1915. During a time The Workers are Quiet, by LeftPress

1 Collective. The latter two are to be While on the subject of folk music and discussed at a seminar, Trade Unions: International Women’s Day, I thought I Past, Present, Future, hosted by BLHA would take the liberty of including the on 7 March. photo below taken in the early 1990s in the Queen Street Mall on IWD. At that We have a moving tribute to a time I was a member of the folk group remarkable women who passed on Rosehill Fayre. We sang without fear, in January this year: Aunty Maureen upholding principals we held dear, and Watson — she will be sadly missed were invited to play at UAW functions, by Indigenous and non-Indigenous Reclaim the Night rallies, CPA events people alike. And there is a report on and, of course, IWD celebrations. I am the hugely successful staging of two the one on the left; the other two are Flames of Discontent concerts at the Lonnie Martin and Toni Wood, both Woodford Folk Festival — and much powerful women who still sing. more... HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY * * * *

Rosehill Fayre perform for IWD celebrations, Queen Street Mall, early 1990s. Dale Jacobsen (your editor), Lonnie Martin, Toni Wood.

2 BLHA President’s Column Greg Mallory

Once again, it is pleasing to report At the Woodford Folk Festival the on the great activism of the BLHA, BLHA was honoured to work with making it one of the most active the CFMEU Construction branch in ASSLH branches in the country. presenting two concerts on our theme of “Rekindling the Flames of Discontent”. 2008 Events The first concert, which was held in a smaller venue (The Muse), attracted The BLHA conducted three major around 150 people and the evening events at the end of 2008. Firstly, the event at the Concert Stage attracted a crowd of around 800. The “Flames” Queensland Mines and Energy Minister, concert will be a regular feature of Geoff Wilson, launched Mick Tubbs’ the Festival from now on. The BLHA book, ASIO: The Enemy Within, at the would like to thank Bill Hauritz, CEO Brisbane Workers Community Centre of the Festival, the behind the scenes (BWCC). The event was well attended workers, and the organising committee and Mick’s speech on the activities for their support. We would also like of ASIO over the past 60 years was to thank Jason Stein and the CFMEU well received. The second event was Construction branch for their help, our AGM, the highlight of which was particularly with the slide show at the the bestowing of Life Membership on evening concert. Manfred Cross. Manfred has given 2009/10 Planned Events life-long service to labour history and the labour movement. A short piece on On 7 March we are holding a seminar at Manfred’s involvement was provided the BWCC on the topic Trade Unions: in our February Newsletter. Another Past, Present, Future. The speakers highlight of the AGM was the fabulous will be: Dr Joan Corrie, from Griffith “political cabaret” performance by University, on union amalgamations of Absolutely Scandalous. the 1990s concentrating on the AMWU

3 and the CFMEU; Dr Tom Bramble, times: the labour movement and the from the University of Queensland, on environment movement. The BLHA his book Trade Unionism in Australia, Executive has written to academics and the LeftPress Collective on their and activists in both these areas book After the Waterfront. Margaret inviting them to attend. Jack Mundey Lee, State Secretary of the NTEU, has been asked to open the conference will be launching this edition of The and other notable speakers who have Queensland Journal of Labour History been invited are Professor Ian Lowe, at this event as well as chairing the John Bellamy Foster from Canada and discussion panel. Tony Maher from the Federal CFMEU Mining & Energy Division. This will It is a great pleasure to announce be an historic conference and should that the BLHA will be holding the attract wide media attention. The inaugural Alex Macdonald Memorial academic papers from this conference Lecture in mid-May. The year 2009 will provide the basis for a special marks 40 years since Alex’s death and thematic edition of the federal journal it is only fitting that a memorial lecture Labour History in November 2010. be held in his name. The lecture will be presented by Professor Margaret Levi, Federal Matters formerly the Harry Bridges Chair in the Harry Bridges Centre for Labor Studies The Federal Executive has been holding at the University of Washington, and its Executive meetings by telephone who currently holds, jointly, Professor hook-up during the year, however of Politics, United States Study Centre, in November I attended a Federal Sydney University, and Bacharach Professor of International Studies, Executive meeting in Sydney as well University of Washington. The lecture as the Federal AGM. I also attended will be preceded by a talk by Hughie the Federal Editorial Board meeting Hamilton, Manfred Cross and Alan of Labour History. A number of major Anderson on the contribution Alex decisions were made at these meetings. made to the labour movement in Firstly Janis Bailey, Dale Jacobsen and Queensland. myself have been appointed by the Editorial Board to edit the thematic The next big event of the BLHA is a “red-green” edition of Labour History “red-green” conference to be held on in November 2010. 7-8 February 2010. The conference is in the early days of planning Another decision relates to the Federal but essentially will bring together ASSLH web-page. It will be updated academics and activists from the two and branch secretaries will be “trained” most significant movements of our to administer the web-page.

4 A significant event also occurred at a Life Member in 2006. The BLHA the AGM. Terry Irving was made a thanks Ted for all his work as Secretary Life Member of ASSLH. Terry was and Treasurer over the years. Ted has one of the founding members of the assured us that he will be available organisation and it is only fitting he for various jobs. With a number of receive such an honour. Terry has been activities to occur in the next 15 a long-term member of the Sydney months, the Executive will be calling branch, and in the last number of on Ted, particularly for his expert help years has also been a BLHA member. on photographs. Jason Stein takes over The BLHA congratulates him on this as Treasurer and Andrew Martin has honour. been elected to the Executive. I wish them well in their new jobs. “Power to the People: Legacies of 1968”, University of Wollongong Lastly I must thank the old Executive Conference for making 2008 a rewarding year and in particular Dale Jacobsen for her In September I attended a conference excellent work as Secretary, the putting at the University of Wollongong on the together and editing of Newsletters, “politics” of 1968. The conference was e-bulletins and the Journal. I would partly organised by the Illawarra Branch particularly like to thank her for getting of ASSLH and had some funding from the Woodford events happening and the University. It was an excellent making them such a great success. conference but I was disappointed that a number of 1960s activists from * * * * Brisbane and Melbourne did not know about it and would have liked to attend. I raised this at the Federal level and it was decided that I become the Federal Branch Liaison Officer. Part of my job will be to make sure all branches are aware of such activities. As stated before, when the Federal web-page is up and running, this will make the job a lot easier.

New Executive and Thanks

At the AGM, Ted Riethmuller stood down as Treasurer and hence has left the BLHA Executive. Ted was made

5 In Memoriam

Maureen Frances Watson Watson: tireless educator and 1931–2009 campaigner for the rights of her people; gifted and passionate performer on stage and film; poet, author and playwright; children’s author; beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and recognised Murri elder in south- east Queensland.

Born in Rockhampton in central Queensland on 9 November 1931 of Birri Gubba descent, Maureen was brought up in the Dawson Valley, her mother’s Kungulu country.

She was a dux of her school, an all- round sports person and brilliant horse rider, but her scholarship year came to an abrupt end with a bad horse fall. So, as a teenager, she worked beside her father, becoming skilled at shooting kangaroos, trapping dingoes, From ‘Portraits of Australian Aborigines, mustering, droving and branding cattle, 1981-1984’ / photographed by Penny picking cotton, planting seed crops, Tweedie. Copyright ownership is driving tractors and bulldozers. acknowledged from the State Library of NSW, Sydney At 21 she married Harold Bayles, a Wakka Wakka man from Eidsvold, and On the fourth day of the New Year, in 1970 Maureen, with their family Australia lost one of its most respected of five children, moved to Brisbane. Aboriginal women — Aunty Maureen She joined the fledgling Aboriginal

6 rights movement and commenced Nations Association Global Leadership an arts degree at the University of Prize for her outstanding work towards Queensland. building cross-cultural understanding and harmony. Her experiences of growing up in a home where her family and visitors Maureen worked with “Sisters Inside”, talked of politics, culture, spirituality a support group for women in prison. and social issues, and her own innate She was a qualified and experienced story-telling ability, prepared her well Neuro-Linguistic Programming coun- for the rest of her life. She was popular sellor. and highly-respected by non-indigenous as well as Aboriginal Australians, and Her son, Tiga Bayles, spoke at the very showed her strong sense of justice by moving ceremony to celebrate the life confronting bullies, discrimination and of Maureen Frances Watson. His words injustice wherever she saw it. of her intense spiritual connection to the Land were a fitting tribute to this feisty, Maureen was a founding member of wise, beautiful, intelligent, creative and Indigenous organisations that include strong Black woman. Radio Redfern and the Aboriginal People’s Gallery. She attended the first ..she taught us to look past the racism, injustice, lies and greed. She taught us to National Aboriginal Theatre Workshop look past those things — to look for the in Sydney and a Black Film-makers goodness inherent in every person. The course. Her first collection of stories goodness we all share when we dream and poems, Black Reflections, was of clean air and water, as the essential published in 1982. She went on to birthright of every child, regardless of produce six more poetry anthologies, race, colour, creed or country … how one children’s book and one picture all of us, individually, collectively and book. She has performed and taught in globally — can empower ourselves to many venues, from major festivals to become honourable ancestors to our local schools and arts organisations. future generations by bequeathing them a healthy Mother Earth. She was at the forefront of Aboriginal protests against the Commonwealth 12 January 2009, Murri School, Acacia Games in Brisbane in 1982, facing Ridge, Brisbane. arrest during demonstrations. In 1996 she was awarded the Australia Council Sheryl Gwyther Red Ochre award in recognition of her (http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com) national and international contribution towards recognition of Aboriginal arts. * * * * Also, she received the inaugural United

7 Female of the Species

By Aunty Maureen Watson

Whoever said I can’t fly? Why, Sisters, I can – can’t I Whoever said, that because I’m a girl, I’d be moulded and scolded by a sexist world. Told me I could only be a mother, Said I could never do things like my brother. Well, here’s mud in your eye, ‘Cause Sisters, I can-can’t I? Why, Sisters, you told me, I could be free, Showed me I could be, what I wanted to be, That I need never be left on the shelf. Why, I can spread my wings and fly away, From the depths, to the heights any night, any day. Why, the whole world is within my reach, I can learn or I can teach, Why, I can dig ditches or write professorial theses, ‘Cause me-why, I’m the female of the species. And I’ve rewritten the story of the power and glory, The wonder of being, the joy of seeing. In every direction, my reflection, In a million women’s faces, And I’ve found my place in a million different places, For a human being, the female version. And you know what? It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person, ‘Cause I like what I see, when I look at me, And I don’t have to be, what I use to be, I can be whatever I choose to be. So you can throw out your book on your sexist theses, ‘Cause me, why, I’m the female of the species.

* * * *

8 Eva’s Story life spanned some of the most important historical events of the 20th century: Connie Healy she lived through two world wars, the world economic depression, the rise of My friend Eva Bacon was born Eva fascism in Europe, and the occupation Goldner into a poor Jewish family in of her own country, Austria, by Nazi Vienna, Austria, on 1 October 1909; invaders. All these events influenced her mother was from the Czech lands her social and political viewpoint and her father was a Talmudic scholar throughout her life. from Hungary.1 After attending a trade school in Vienna she became highly trained in her profession as dress Youthful Eva became a militant designer, cutter and dressmaker. She activist after 1934 when she joined established her own business working the underground anti-fascist resistance from her flat. She died in Brisbane on after the Austrian chancellor, Dollfuss, 23 July 1994 aged 84 years. Her long seized power and attempted to crush

Eva Goldner third from right, front, at trade college in Vienna circa 1922. Photo from the Bacon family collection.

9 Eva Goldner in Vienna 1930. Photo Connie Healy.

10 the Viennese workers’ movement. In and that her brothers should join them March 1938 Hitler drove into Vienna and her mother in Australia.2 After and annexed Austria. As a leftist and travelling through France, Eva and her activist, and a Jew (although an atheist mother arrived in London to be met by from her teens), it became an urgent E…. Eva booked a passage to Australia necessity for her to leave the country for herself and her mother, with E… as the campaign of terror orchestrated to follow. But his ship never sailed; by the Nazis against Jews escalated in the ship that brought Eva to Australia intensity. Her boy-friend E… left to go to England, and her two brothers John was the last to leave its shores. The and Fred, both in a dance band, were British government commandeered all fortunately touring South America. subsequent passenger ships for the war Eva sent a message to them saying effort. So Eva was separated from her that she would try to follow her friend great love, something she never forgot. E… to London and then to Australia, She corresponded with him and met

Eva with her two brothers, John and Fred (Freddy) Goldner in 1936 in Vienna, Austria. Photo from the Bacon family collection.

11 him again in 1952 as she passed through my companion who she was, he told me London on an overseas delegation. that she and her mother were Jewish refugees who had recently arrived in I met Eva for the first time at the home Australia having fled from Austria, of Florence Callaghan (whose husband following the occupation of Hitler’s was a Brisbane Land Court judge). armies: an occupation welcomed by the She had an interest in international Austrian government. I was introduced and Australian culture, particularly and spoke to her briefly. The year was working-class culture. I was attending 1939. a musical evening along with other members of Unity Theatre, a left- The following year I was working wing group. I was looking through the at the Commonwealth Bank, Queen doorway to the verandah and saw an Street. I stepped out one lunch hour to attractive, dark-haired young woman be accosted by Eva. She told me that of rather unusual appearance. She was she was working at Penneys Emporium seated next to Ted Bacon, a theatre up the street and asked me to join a member that I knew. On enquiring from women’s fitness group that she had

Eva Goldner, second from left, with colleagues at Penneys circa 1941. Photo from the Bacon family collection.

12 started on the roof of that building. I was more interested in playing sport, but Eva had a very persuasive manner and I was won over. For some time the group exercised and developed not only a gym routine but also friendships, until our little club broke up. Years later I met Eva in quite different circumstances. I was a young widow walking down Adelaide Street. (I had married my Unity Theatre companion who had joined the air force to help defeat fascism. He was killed when his plane was shot down over Belgium in 1944.) I remember to this day Eva’s expression of sympathy at this time for my loss. Eventually the friendship commenced in these brief encounters, grew into a deep and lasting friendship when, again by chance, we became Eva and Ted Bacon with daughter neighbours in a housing estate in Barbara (born 1946). Photo from the Bacon family collection. Enoggera, Brisbane. moved to another housing commission Eva joined the Communist Party after home not far from their residence. I had her marriage to Ted Bacon in 1944. married Mick Healy (waterside worker She had met Ted after she went to a and Trades & Labor Council Secretary performance by Unity Theatre of Till for 10 years) and we now had a baby the Day I Die, a play with a strong anti- fascist message, in which Ted played son, Jim, when we moved to Enoggera. a leading role. The people she met in We found we were almost back-to-back the theatre were, she said, ‘interested with Eva and Ted. We commuted over in what was happening in Europe the fence (we built a stile), our children and were ready to speak out against played together and we talked, laughed atrocities’ and this fitted in with her and worked together. beliefs. Shortly after Eva married Ted (then State Secretary of the Queensland A branch of the Communist Party was CPA) and their daughter Barbara’s birth set up in Enoggera. Eva and I took in 1946, Eva and Ted moved to live in responsibility for the local area. We Enoggera. They were already settled participated in the many campaigns into their house when Mick and I of the post-war era. We held cottage

13 meetings in our homes, with speakers organise activities around central dealing with social issues. We campaigns.4 canvassed the area with leaflets and for sales of the Communist press, the In 1952 Eva returned to Vienna as Guardian, and over a period became a UAW delegate to an International well known to many people. Women’s Conference for the Defence of Children, a world conference In 1950 the Union of Australian Women organised by the Women’s International (UAW) was formed in Brisbane as a Democratic Federation (WIDF). This result of activity of women in many was the first international conference in organisations — the Queensland which the UAW had participated. Eva Housewives’ League providing the was accompanied by a member of the nucleus of a membership which included Enoggera branch, Jessie Ferguson, a women from the Queensland Women’s music teacher, who paid her own way. Peace Movement, working women and I looked after young Barbara (now those in the early women’s auxiliaries of school age) during her absence. of the Trades and Labour Council and They returned to enthuse the local other trade union women’s committees. Queensland organisation about what A foundation member of the UAW, they had learnt overseas. Eva was Eva was at one time state secretary, overwhelmed to return to the city of her president, national committee member birth and from which she had escaped. and Enoggera branch activist.3 She was deeply affected personally to discover the tragedies that had occurred Eva was attracted to the UAW because there amongst many of her close friends its aims coincided with her own during the terrible war years.5 ideology: to fight injustice; to improve the status of women in society; to Throughout the world, International struggle for peace; to help improve Women’s Day (IWD) has been living conditions and concentrate on observed since the early 1900s, a time the needs of children. Through her of great expansion and turbulence in the extensive friendships with women industrialised world that saw booming in the area of Enoggera, this local population growth and the rise of radical network of women came together to ideologies. In 1908, 15,000 women form a branch of the UAW, under her garment workers marched through leadership, that gradually extended New York City demanding shorter to neighbouring suburbs. A talented hours, better pay and voting rights, pianist and craftswoman, Eva was the and in 1910, at a Socialist International guiding force of the group which met meeting in Copenhagen, over 100 in the local RSL hall in Enoggera to women from 17 countries unanimously do crafts, discuss current issues and agreed to the proposal for establishing

14 an International Women’s Day on 8 They organised luncheons and concerts March to honour women’s rights and which consistently involved Aboriginal to assist in achieving universal suffrage women and also raised their demands for women. and problems.7

The day was first celebrated in Sydney, 1957 marked the 50th anniversary of Australia, in 1928, organised by the white women exercising their right to Militant Women’s Movement (MWM) vote in Queensland. Legislation passed calling for equal pay for equal work and in 1905 resulted in the first election in other demands. In 1929, in Brisbane, 1907. The basement of the Town Hall a social and dance was organised by was packed for a display of photos, MWM marking Brisbane’s first IWD. documents, posters and crafts. Jessie Shortly after her arrival in Brisbane Street, three women who had voted in 1939, on the invitation of a woman in May 1907, an Aboriginal woman, friend, Eva went to an IWD function at and others addressed 300 people a meeting hall near Atcherley House. emphasising the themes of the day, Prior to this, she had never heard such as unity for equality, world peace of International Women’s Day. Her and the happiness of children. friend, Marjorie, announced that Eva had recently escaped from Vienna and IWD activities in Australia in the 1960s would speak of her experiences to the saw an increasing number of visits of gathering. With great trepidation and international delegates. For example, faltering English, Eva spoke — a rather in 1960, as national co-ordinator terrifying introduction to International and organiser of the IWD tour, Eva Women’s Day. But it was not until 1951 welcomed visitors from China, Madam that the UAW held its first International Chao Feng from the National Women’s Women’s Day celebrations as part of Federation of China and Madame a well-attended quarterly meeting.6 Roesijati R. Sukardi, a journalist from The UAW continued its role as main the Indonesian Women’s Organisation organiser for IWD celebrations in who were attending meetings from Brisbane. Sydney to Perth.

In 1954 Eva became the IWD Out of a growing recognition that the Organising-Secretary of a broad full and equal participation of women committee until 1974. The Brisbane was essential to world development IWD committee adopted specific and peace, the United Nations declared themes for their activities which 1975 “International Women’s Year”. In sometimes linked to other public the same year, the Federal government activities such as Under Fives Week, held its first inquiry into the status of concentrating on the needs of children. women to which 200 women’s groups

15 made submissions. However, the However, she recognised that IWD focal point of the year was a United had much wider appeal. It introduced Nations International Conference thousands more women throughout held in Mexico City which adopted a Australia to the feminist movement, world plan of action for improving the bringing together far more diverse situation of women. They called for the strands than existed in the Women’s period 1976–1985 to be proclaimed Liberation movement.10 by the UN as the decade for women in In her history of Queensland’s IWD which the World Plan of Action could celebrations, she wrote: be implemented. These conference recommendations on the plan of action The UAW’S aim was to restore were endorsed. At this conference in the Day to its intended purpose of Mexico City, the UN sponsored the rallying working-class women and convention of official government promoting consciousness of their representatives, but there was also double oppression as women and as a Tribune for other individuals and members of the working class.11 groups.8 Having played such a key role in IWD over the years, Eva was It was mainly for this reason that she the logical choice for selection by the saw organisation around the day as her International Women’s Year Advisory primary focus. Committee to attend the IWD Tribune in Mexico City. It was a signal honour Today, in Australia, many women’s as she was the only Queenslander to organizations and governments now attend the Tribune. In looking back over observe IWD annually on 8 March. her life, she confided that her selection From small beginnings, International and attendance at the UN International Women’s Day is now an official conference in Mexico represented “the holiday in many countries. In some pinnacle of my career”.9 countries the day has equivalent status to Mother’s Day, a much-advertised The Women’s Liberation movement of day in this country, where children the 1960s and 70s has received world- give small presents to their mothers wide media attention as the birth of and grandmothers. Great changes “feminism”. Eva gave tribute to the have taken place regarding attitudes Women’s Liberation movement, saying to women in the last decades so that that — ‘It was Women’s Lib which had now women can have real choices, the insight to define that “the personal equal rights and job opportunities is political” — to define how inequality (unfortunately not world wide). But of the sexes permeates all facets of not all the battles of the past have been society’. won for women.

16 women’s equality and recognition and the work of her predecessors in the women’s movement will not be forgotten. Endnotes 1 The Australian, Friday August 5 1994, p. 18. Obituary Laurie Aarons. 2 The Australian, ibid. One of Eva’s brothers arrived in Australia prior to Eva and her mother’s arrival and was working as a musician. He assisted Eva Bacon, on the right, carries the their entry to the country. UAW banner during the 1979 May Day 3 Pam Young, preface, Sue Pechey, march. Photo Doug Eaton. Crow’s Nest, Qld. Daring to take a stand: the story of the Union of Australian Women in Queensland, Like many migrants to this country, Wavell Heights, Qld, 1998. Eva chose Australia and then proceeded 4 Rachel Shotet, Sun Magazine, “From to make a life for herself here. She was War Horrors to Women’s Rights”, always grateful that she and her family 16 July 1989, p. 17. had found a haven. This fact and the 5 Ibid. And conversations with the author. circumstances of her lucky escape from 6 Pam Young, ibid, pp. 122–123. fascism, led her to overcome great 7 Joyce Stevens, A History of International obstacles to reach acceptance by the Women’s Day in words and images. The Australian community. After a very nineteen Fifties and Sixties, pp. 5–6 tragic beginning she reached out to IWD Australia. help others. The secret of her ready 8 Susan Hocking, The Sunday Mail, March 10 1985, p. 37 and Joyce acceptance in the community, despite Stevens, ibid. her known political viewpoint, her sex 9 Ibid. and her Jewish origins, was her 10 Joyce Stevens, ibid. preparedness to accept and work with 11 Eva Bacon, International Women’s people of other views and backgrounds. Day, Twenty-six Years of International Women’s Day, p. 3. For more detailed ‘One of her great qualities was her information on IWD see the Eva Bacon 12 humanitarianism’. Similar sentiments Collection, Fryer Library, University of were expressed to me by a friend who Queensland. had not seen Eva for some time. She 12 Green Left Weekly No 155, 17 August wrote to me after Eva’s death saying 1994. Eulogy by J McIlroy at Eva Bacon’s memorial gathering. (Quoting that she had ‘many memories of her Warren Bowden). strong convictions, insight, courage and caring for the needs of others’. It is * * * * hoped that Eva’s life and work for

17 John Manifold wrote this poem in support of the Equal Wage Campaign. This is how it appeared in the March–May 1962 edition of Our Women – newsletter of the UAW. With thanks to Doug Eaton, who performed as a member of the Bandicoots.

The author: John Manifold. Photo courtesy Doug Eaton.

18 The Great Sex Education Throughout 1970 and 1971 there was sporadic public discussion about Pamphlet Scandal of 1971 whether sex education should be Katrina Barben introduced into Queensland schools. Advocates pointed to the 11% rate of On Tuesday 28 September 1971 “illegitimate” births in Queensland members of the Women’s Liberation and opponents argued, basically, that Movement handed out copies of giving young people information about a pamphlet entitled Sexuality and sex would only encourage them. Education. They distributed it to young women high school students The extent of social change since, leaving State High, Somerville including access to the internet, makes it difficult to comprehend the degree of House, St Margaret’s and Clayfield ignorance among young women at that College. The pamphlet contained as time. One indicator is that university much information about reproduction, students’ organisations were beginning female sexuality, masturbation and to provide basic information about sex contraception (with diagrammatic to students — the best educated and illustrations) as could be fitted on most privileged young people — at two sides of a foolscap sheet. It was orientation. (They were criticised for produced and distributed as part of a doing so.) campaign for sex education in schools. At the time, Jo Bjelke-Petersen was Not only was there no sex education in Premier of Queensland, John Gorton schools, but also access to birth control was Prime Minister of Australia, and was often difficult. Many general Richard Nixon was President of the practitioners and pharmacists refused to USA. prescribe or sell contraceptives, even to married people. In the same week as the There was a huge upsurge of demand Sexuality and Education pamphlet was distributed, the state central executive for fundamental change in Australia of the Country Party (later the National — against the Vietnam War, for human Party) defeated a proposal to legalise rights for Aboriginal people, and vasectomy as a contraceptive measure. against the oppression of women — Access to abortion was expensive and but this has not yet achieved significant problematic. A series of stories in the results. The establishment fought media during the period reported on the back with distortion, trivialisation Victorian enquiry into police corruption and demonisation, resorting to legal in relation to abortions in that State, as sanctions and state violence when these a result of a campaign by Dr Bertram failed. Wainer and others.

19 In September 1971, Queensland was Women’s Liberation meeting. (The still coming to terms with the South pamphlet had given the times and African Rugby tour of Australia by venues of meetings and invited any the Springboks. The Queensland interested women to attend, which may Government’s action in declaring a indicate that the group did not anticipate state of emergency to prevent disruption the full extent of the reaction.) Gabby by anti-racist protestors was still being Horan, a popular talkback radio host, criticised internationally. What a relief used her weekday morning program to it must have been for members of this orchestrate indignation, and hung up government to be able to divert attention on a lone caller from the group as soon to an attack on Women’s Liberation! as she identified herself. Readers who remember Brisbane in that period will The Media Attacks the Pamphlet recall Ms Parker and Ms Horan for their unfailing support of the status quo. A Courier-Mail story on Friday 1 October reported that parents were PMG and Parliament Demand “up in arms”. There was talk of Action vigilante patrols to guard high schools. The Courier-Mail editorial the next The Sunday Mail of 3 October reported day accused activists of “making sex an interview with Merle Thornton, a dirty word” and called for legislation who said: ‘If they don’t like our stuff to criminalise any further distribution let them produce better’. She stated of the pamphlet. Most published that Women’s Liberation would letters to the editor on the subject were “continue the campaign to ensure hostile, typically expressing “shock that girls received ‘an adequate sex at the whole tone of the thing” by education’.” The same article quoted those who had read the pamphlet, and a representative of the Liberal Party more generalised outrage by those Women’s Council who said that who had not seen it, but knew it was “Women’s Lib.” had gone too far and a bad thing anyway. In retrospect, one “must be sternly dealt with”, and who might hypothesise that what had really called on the Postmaster-General to upset people was the discussion of the cancel the group’s post office box. He functions of the clitoris, although this must have been listening, because PO word would not have been printed in Box 175, North Quay was cancelled newspapers at the time. effective from Friday 1 October, with any mail to be returned to senders. Erica Parker, a columnist with the His staff might not have been so alert, Telegraph, Brisbane’s afternoon tabloid, though, because mail was collected joined the attack on the pamphlet. She from the box the following Monday also reported being asked to leave a morning.

20 21 On Monday 4 October, Ann Doggett, possible health issues for women as a speaking for Women’s Liberation, said result of consistent lack of orgasm. The that it might stop using the pamphlet pamphlet concluded that the reaction in its sex education campaign, and the to the first pamphlet was ‘an explicit next day it was announced that “a closed admission that this society will not meeting of the movement was to be held easily relinquish its control over women at a private address to decide on future and their bodies, nor allow one of its policy”. That week, both Government prime socializing agents, the school and Labor Opposition members of system, to be so easily subverted’. the Queensland Parliament demanded action. There was talk of prosecuting Erica Parker attacked this pamphlet the women who had distributed the too, while ignoring most of the content. pamphlet, and also the University of She triumphantly pointed out that the Queensland Press if it could be proved contact phone number given was that that they had printed it. The matter of Semper Floreat. (Well, did she was referred to the Literature Board think that people would provide their of Review, but banning the pamphlet home numbers for contact?) Another presented difficulties, because this news story alleged that the University would not cover pamphlets which of Queensland Student Union had were similar but not identical. Later provided funding (of $20) to Women’s that week, Parliament discussed Liberation. introducing a Bill “to penalise those Licensing Squad Raids Communist who contributed to the delinquency of Party Rooms minors”. On the afternoon of Friday 8 October police from the Licensing Squad raided Women’s Liberation produced a second the Brisbane rooms of the Communist pamphlet, Why Women’s Liberation Party, and seized copies of the pamphlet published that pamphlet. This was as well as the plates which had been sent to women’s organisations, parents used to print it. This was reported on the and citizens’ groups, the Education front page of the Courier-Mail the next Department and Members of day (“Police Raid Red Headquarters”). Parliament, and distributed at teachers’ Women’s Liberation was, if possible, colleges. It referred to the number further discredited. of “illegal” abortions, the rate of “illegitimate” births and the prevalence However, on the same day, the of sexually transmitted infections in Courier-Mail carried an editorial young people. It asserted that a focus which concluded that ‘it would be on the mechanics of reproduction was a retrograde step if this and other not enough, because ‘sex also serves issues were used as a blank cheque the function of pleasure’, and spoke of

22 for sweeping censorship’. A few days been identified by the media as central later, on 12 October, the Queensland to such dangerous and subversive Teachers’ Union called for a “properly activities as the Vietnam Moratoriums, balanced” program of sex education resistance to National Service and (while at the same time condemning advocacy of the rights of Aboriginal “extremist attitudes”). people. The Communist Party of Australia had by that time distanced After that, the story disappeared — it itself from the USSR and supported had, after all, run its nine-day course. progressive movements in the wider But one also has the impression community. that some individuals re-collected themselves and decided that they did In reflecting on this eventful couple not want to be accessories to a further of weeks in 1971, I am struck by two backward step — people were already things: how courageous and straight making jokes about turning watches talking those pamphlets were! and back 100 years when they came to how interesting it is that there were no Queensland. reports of the reactions of the young women who received the first pamphlet. No prosecutions eventuated and It seems unlikely that they really were no special legislation was enacted. traumatised. I imagine them as being However, as predicted in the second empowered and delightedly amused. pamphlet, Queensland’s civil liberties Oh to live dangerously again became weaker and weaker. Shortly Handbags stuffed with illegal lit ... afterwards, Dr Bertram Wainer moved - Dorothy Hewitt, Rapunzel in to Queensland to practice as a general Suburbia practitioner — one more doctor in Queensland willing to prescribe contraceptives. * * * *

The role of the Communist Party in printing the leaflet reflects the nature of alliances at that time. The Women’s Liberation Movement met in the Ann Street rooms of the Union of Australian Women, whose advocacy for women’s rights led them to support the group. One member of the group worked at Semper Floreat and the young women who handed out the leaflet were university students. “Students” had

23 24 A Commitment to Peace: activists associated with WILPF and the wider peace and justice movement The Women’s in Queensland. Examination of these International League for areas will reveal the extent to which such Peace and Freedom in groups, along with those individuals who have contributed towards their Queensland development and maintenance, have played an important role in shaping By Tanya Negerevich the political, economic and social landscape of Queensland throughout As Queensland commemorates its its history. 150th anniversary in 2009, so too can be celebrated the invaluable role of groups The Formation of WILPF and its and organisations that have contributed Goals towards the emergence of peace, justice and social equality throughout From the time of its formation as the state’s history. In particular, the an international Non-Governmental enduring efforts of peace activists, and Organisation (NGO) in 1915, WILPF the organisations they have represented has worked towards empowering over the years, can be recognised as an women of different social, economic important element of Queensland’s and political backgrounds, in the hope social tapestry since its earliest days, of achieving peace, disarmament and allowing for the emergence of a social social justice globally.1 Emerging as a conscience and the establishment of result of The International Congress of vital infrastructure and services intended Women, which gathered in The Hague to aid all members of the Queensland (The Netherlands) in the context of community. Focussing upon the World War I, WILPF developed as a important work of such organisations, forum for the collaboration of women this article will examine, in particular, the role of the Women’s International from different countries, joining League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) together in an expression of opposition 2 as an organisation pursuing peace and to war and conflict. The primary goal justice in Queensland, highlighting the of WILPF’s activities subsequently significant contribution it has made focussed upon ending the atrocities of towards the enrichment of the state’s war and finding ways through which social and political environment since to prevent its future emergence. This its conception. Specifically, the history goal has remained with WILPF since of the organisation will be explored, 1915, with the aim of exploring and in addition to the notable efforts made challenging the underlying causes by its members as well as other peace of war and conflict, providing a

25 foundation upon which to base its feminist principles, represents another activities globally. means through which to overcome the emergence of war and conflict globally, Significantly, the political ideology with the goals of sustaining humanity, underpinning WILPF and its activities ensuring basic human needs, promoting can be recognised as emanating from human dignity and the preservation of the philosophy of “women’s peace human rights. This alternative approach activism”, which provides an alternate ensures protection from preventable approach to the achievement of peace harm and underpins the ideology of and justice, pursued through feminist women’s peace activism.6 principles. In basing its core values upon such ideology, it has been In founding itself upon such a claimed, WILPF has provided a useful philosophical and political platform, framework through which to enable WILPF has gained increasing support women to operate outside the given worldwide and developed exponentially paradigm of mainstream society, and as an organisation, building ties with rather, attempt to pursue peace and such international institutions as the justice through alternate, and perhaps United Nations (UN) and its agencies,7 more abstract (and ultimately more along with numerous NGOs operating effective) means.3 Importantly, whilst in the international environment. It has women’s peace activism embraces also been successful in establishing mainstream approaches that attempt to itself throughout 45 countries world- pursue peace and justice, advocating wide, opening sections and offering its the need to foster cooperation and services in states as diverse as Palestine integration between states and their and Sierra Leone.8 citizens, women’s peace activism additionally recognises the problematic WILPF in Queensland nature of an international order dominated by patriarchal ideology, In Queensland, WILPF can trace its and in particular, its propensity for origins to the establishment of a branch war and conflict.4 As such, women’s in Rockhampton in 1920, facilitated in peace activism, as pursued through large part by the efforts of a Quaker9 organisations such as WILPF, refers and women’s peace activist, Felicia to the participation of women in Hopkins. Like other peace organisations public affairs in order to encourage such as WILPF’s predecessor, the the promotion of feminist principles Sisterhood of International Peace identified as being conducive to the (SIP)10 and also the Women’s Peace emergence of peace and justice.5 This is Army (WPA),11 WILPF developed in based upon the belief that an alternative direct response to the onset of World approach to peace, pursued through War I and represented a commitment

26 by its members to the opposition of war and violence.12 The atrocities of war, including the mass casualty rate of soldiers and civilians, as well as the development and introduction of more advanced weaponry and technology capable of achieving military objectives more effectively, brought the reality of ceaseless killing to the fore of the peace movement at the time. It was in this context that groups such as WILPF capitalised on the anti-war sentiment that was so prevalent, calling upon women to condemn the violence which continued to rage, and unite together to Felicia Hopkins. From “Widening Horizons: the YWCA in Queensland ensure the cessation of hostilities and 1888-1988” by Aline Gillespie, the return of fathers, sons and brothers Brisbane: YWCA Inc, 1995. to their families.13

Women such as Felicia Hopkins were children.16 Her activities through particularly successful in garnering WILPF also involved her work in support for the women’s peace providing suitable accommodation and movement and using the unstable and support for young women migrants hysterical war climate to encourage who faced particular challenges in the increased membership in peace new colony, assisting them in their organisations.1415 Through promoting settlement in Australia.17 Moreover, rhetoric which encouraged the need following the influx of migrants to for peace to ensure stability and the Australia throughout the wartime well-being of Australian women and period, Felicia’s activities also children in particular, Felicia Hopkins, included undertaking efforts to resist and others like her, worked to establish the strict limitations imposed upon vital infrastructure and services to Australian society as a result of the allow for support to be provided for White Australia Policy, through which those affected by war. Prompted fundamentally by her strong Christian those considered to exist outside the faith, Felicia’s efforts in peace activism acceptable standards of culture and involved facilitating the settlement of ethnicity risked deportation as a result 18 new migrants in the Rockhampton area of their perceived inferiority. in addition to aiding her husband in the establishment of a home for orphan Despite the efforts of such women as Felicia Hopkins and other peace

27 activists however, the wider peace achievement of peace and social justice, movement faced significant obstacles advocated war as a means through in relation to the unstable and chaotic which to cement Australian identity war climate. As Patsy Adam-Smith has and defend the values and principles noted: that were perceived as vital in forming the country’s idealistic foundations.20 In Australia, the war brought hard, inhumane, hysterical times. However, despite such obstacles There was draconian censorship faced, the women’s peace movement [as well as] personal and political continued with organisations such as threats [made] to all who spoke WILPF, despite limited membership out, published and distributed their in its sections (including that in views for peace.19 Rockhampton), continuing to operate with relative success. In particular, Indeed, opposition also came from the role of Felicia Hopkins, as a key within, where many organisations, figure in the organisation, allowed it supposedly working towards the to successfully form regular meetings

WILPF Qld perform a skit about women’s anti-war activities in WW1 Queensland. Photo from WILPF archives.

28 and distribute literature regarding difficult and trying times. Their peace and issues pertaining to women’s devotion to the cause of peace and peace activism, in addition to allowing justice and efforts in establishing vital for members to pursue anti-militarist infrastructure assisted in laying the activities in response to the continuing foundations for future challenges, as atrocities of war.21 At the national level, were to be faced once more through the the Rockhampton branch of WILPF, onset of a second world war which was whilst composed of a relatively small to shortly follow. membership, was recognised as being largely successful in sustaining local WILPF’s Role During World War II interest in its work, raising awareness of issues it regarded as important, As the global environment again and extending the influence of the descended into a period of violence League through all possible channels.22 and instability in 1939, women’s Activities of the Rockhampton branch peace organisations, equipped with were also recognised as promoting the knowledge and experienced gained the more general aims of women’s through their efforts in World War I, peace activism in the local community, once more provided vital support for where its pursuits were recognised those affected by conflict. Their role in the WILPF Annual Report of in voicing opposition to war prevailed 1922–3, which noted that the ability as a significant force condemning the of Queensland WILPF members to violence and atrocities which resulted ‘get several articles dealing with from the battles being fought by all peace matters into the local papers’, involved in the conflict. However, represented a particular success.23 The despite the sensed need to form a tangible achievements of WILPF were solid resistance effort against the also notable, with the establishment of violence being witnessed, World War services and infrastructure aimed at II once more challenged the solidity assisting those afflicted by conflict and of the women’s peace movement and violence, providing necessary comfort presented obstacles for organisations to war victims of the time. such as WILPF, who remained committed to the notion that war was Hence, in looking back upon the work an evil, representing ‘a horror while of such women as Felicia Hopkins and in progress, and afterwards a curse others who can be acknowledged as equally to those who win and to those constituting the founding generation of who lose’.24 WILPF and similar peace organisations in Queensland, their efforts can be In particular, as Malcolm Saunders recognised as sustaining the peace has noted, the clashing philosophies movement in Australia in gravely between those considered advocates

29 of “apparent pacifism” and “absolute to be spared from the challenges the pacifism” (the philosophy to which wider peace movement in Australia WILPF members subscribed), was facing, however. Indeed, by the represented a divide in the peace cessation of World War II hostilities, movement itself, wherein the perceived membership in WILPF sections need by the former to advocate a limited throughout Australia, including its amount of violence in eradicating the branch in Rockhampton, had declined overtly aggressive and dangerous forces dramatically, bringing WILPF of Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan and Nazi numbers to their lowest totals ever.28 Germany, was at odds with the position Despite the problem of dwindling of the latter.25 For peace activists, and membership however, a committed few more specifically, those advocating maintained their devotion to the peace women’s peace activism, this clash of movement, continuing their activities ideas and values took its toll upon the to ensure the prevalence of renewed momentum of the peace movement, peace and social justice in response affecting the ability of groups and to the continually evolving social and organisations to pursue peace activities political environment. and form a solid and united resistance against war and violence.26 Remarkably, Membership Revives During in this difficult environment, WILPF Vietnam War remained committed to its policy of condemning conflict in all forms, The persistence of the peace move- and as a result of this, found itself ment’s devoted few throughout the becoming increasingly isolated from difficult times was rewarded by a other groups purportedly advocating renewal in WILPF membership peace activism in Queensland and following the official formation of a throughout Australia.27 Significantly Queensland branch of the organisation however, WILPF’s steadfast devotion in Brisbane in 1963. Notably, the to the cause of peace and justice, Section’s creation at this time can be both in Australia and abroad, enabled attributed to an increased interest in it to maintain its reputation as an peace activism generally, which was, organisation based upon strong morals in many respects, prompted by the and ideals — values which prevented escalating crisis of the Vietnam War, as the organisation from collapsing, like well as resulting from the reintroduction others in the peace activist movement, of conscription policies for Australians amid the turmoil and chaos of the serving in the conflict zone.2930 The wartime climate. actions of peace organisations such as WILPF, as well as other groups Its strong philosophical and idealistic including Save Our Sons (SOS)31 and the foundations did not allow for WILPF Youth Campaign Against Conscription

30 (YCAC),32 can be recognised as having attempting to pursue peace activism significant impact upon the war effort, under the repressive restrictions of the both in Australia and abroad at this Queensland Government during power time, through which such organisations at that time (Ziesak 2008). were largely successful in rousing public opposition towards involvement In addition to Vietnam’s influence upon in Vietnam and the Government’s use the peace movement, another significant of conscription as a means through force, which can be recognised as which to supplement troop numbers. In prompting increased membership in particular, the achievements of peace peace organisations such as WILPF, was organisations operating in Queensland the development and testing of nuclear at the time can be acknowledged as weapons and other forms of advanced particularly significant in terms of military technology. Indeed, the issue of the added difficulties faced by those nuclear weapons, which initially came

WILPF Qld re-enact their 1960s anti-Vietnam war vigil with members who were present at the original vigil. Photo from WILPF archives.

31 to the fore in the Cold War years, has theatre performances and other public become an important focus of WILPF demonstration activities, with regards in its pro-peace campaigns since that to the potential dangers of uranium time, where subsequent efforts of mining and misuse globally.36 the organisation have routinely been WILPF has also continued its role as an directed towards initiatives advocating instrumental component of the peace disarmament and the eradication of movement in Queensland through its 3334 nuclear weaponry. efforts in attempting to address other environmental issues of concern: WILPF’s Role in Anti-nuclear and namely those dealing with climate Environment Movements change and the more local challenge of water and resource scarcity in In Queensland, WILPF has played Queensland. Through collaboration a particularly significant role in the with other organisations, WILPF has anti-nuclear movement over the years, promoted the need for more effective where it has joined forces with other management of water and resources in peace organisations and environmental Queensland and throughout Australia, groups in an attempt to raise public opposing the privatisation of water awareness in regard to the harmful resources and advocating more effects of nuclear testing and uranium effective future planning strategies to mining in Queensland and throughout allow for greater justice and equity in the world. This has been exemplified the distribution of vital resources. The most recently by the concern WILPF role of WILPF and other organisations has expressed over the 2007 agreement in addressing such environmental between the Governments of Australia issues demonstrates the ability of these and the Russian Federation regarding groups to effectively tackle issues of the use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful concern in response to the evolving Purposes, where it has citied the global environment, indicating their possible misuse of uranium sources, role as vital forces in working towards particularly through its use to fulfil the creation of more peaceful and potential military purposes, as a equitable societies worldwide.37 significant point of concern.35 Citing Power Through Collaboration diplomatic and environmental issues which may possibly stem from the 2007 As a result of its foundations upon Uranium Agreement, WILPF has been feminism, WILPF has also sought to a forceful actor in voicing opposition continue its work in advancing peace to the arrangement between the and justice through the empowerment of Australian and Russian Governments, women in Queensland and throughout as a result of which it has sought to Australia. Indeed, despite the obvious raise public awareness, through street

32 WILPF Qld promote UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (including women in post- conflict redevelopment) at the UN Association Conference in Brisbane in 2008. Photo from WILPF archives. improvements for women in most is hoped that interest and involvement aspects of Australian society, WILPF in peace activism may be enhanced, has sought to promote the need for and subsequently, issues of concern continued and improved gender equality pertaining to politics, economics and in all societies globally, to allow for a other social aspects may be brought to further departure from the detrimental the fore in an effort to create a more effects of absolute patriarchy and, just and equitable global society. in particular, its propensity for war In pursuing this end, WILPF has and violence.38 As such, through its sought to nurture its associations with activities, WILPF has also worked to other organisations seeking similar promote women to positions of social objectives in Australia and worldwide, and political dominance in Australia and collaborating with such groups as throughout the globe, through which it the Revolutionary Association of the

33 Women of Afghanistan (RAWA),39 continue to play an important role in as well as groups operating locally shaping and influencing all aspects of throughout Queensland, including society, both locally and in the wider the long-established Young Women’s global community. It is likely that the Christian Association (YWCA), Just continuing role of organisations such Peace (Queensland),40 Soroptimists as WILPF in this context will be to International (Brisbane City)41 and maintain a steadfast commitment to Believing Women for a Culture of peace; always working towards the Peace.42 The work of such organisations emergence of a just and equitable has been vital in ensuring the global society. continuation of the peace movement in Queensland, as well as allowing Endnotes for the continued promotion of issues 1 Gertrude Bussey and Margaret relating to gender equality and other Tims, Pioneers for Peace: Women’s matters regarding peace and justice International League for Peace and more generally. Freedom 1915–1965, Oxford, 1980, p. 3. The contributions of peace activists and 2 Ibid, p. 3. the organisations they represent have 3 Hellen Cooke, ‘A WILPF Story told to the Society for Women Writers Victoria’, thus proved to be an integral part of interview conducted 14 January 2009. Queensland society over the years. The 4 Betty Reardon, Sexism and the War efforts of such groups and individuals System, In Approaches to Peace: A in raising awareness in regards to Reader in Peace Studies, David Barash important issues, and acting to enable (ed.), New York, p. 250. the emergence of a more just and fair 5 Betty Reardon, Women and Peace: society in Queensland and throughout Feminist Visions of Global Security, New York, p. 24. the wider Australian (and global) 6 Ibid, pp. 22–23. community, can be acknowledged as 7 WILPF was part of the first group of a vital force in shaping the political, non-governmental organisations to be social and economic landscape of awarded consultative status with the such societies since their earliest days. United Nations through the Economic For organisations such as WILPF, and Social Council (ECOSOC) in their work is needed now as much as 1948. 8 Women’s International League for ever. The issues confronting today’s Peace and Freedom (WILPF), About society require the same degree of WILPF, accessed 22 September 2008. consideration and concern as has Available at http://www.wilpf.org.au/. driven peace activists of bygone 9 The global Quaker movement emerged eras. Happily, empirical evidence out of England in the 17th century in suggests that despite the outlook of the wake of great religious restlessness future challenges, peace activism will in Britain. Its members subscribed to the notion of “faith in action”, founded

34 upon the proposition that ‘those who 13 Hellen Cooke, ‘A WILPF Story told have deep concerns about the world can to the Society for Women Writers find support and sustenance in working Victoria’, interview conducted 14 towards improvements’ (Quakers 2001: January 2009. 1). Since the movement’s introduction in 14 Hellen Cooke, WILPF Australia: Queensland in the 1860s, Quakers have Heritage and History, In A Festival remained active in the state, working in of Peace: Celebrating 90 Years of the conjunction with other organisations to Women’s International League for pursue peace, justice and equality. Peace and Freedom, M. Bearlin, H. 10 The Sisterhood for Peace (SIP) was a Cooke and B. Meyer (eds.), Canberra, women’s peace organisation formed 2005, p. 3. in Melbourne, Australia in 1915. In 15 Prior to her involvement with WILPF, response to recurring instances of Felicia Hopkins also played a crucial violence and conflict, it sought to role in establishing the Young Women’s achieve international disarmament Christian Association (YWCA) in and an end to all war. Following the Rockhampton, Queensland in 1888. participation of its key members in the The organisation aimed to create a fully International Congress for Women held inclusive world where peace, justice, in Zurich, Switzerland, after World freedom, human dignity, reconciliation War I, the organisation relinquished and diversity were promoted and its former title, establishing instead an sustained through women’s leadership. Australian branch of the newly-formed The YWCA continues to exist in Women’s International League for Queensland and throughout Australia Peace and Freedom (WILPF). and the wider global community, where 11 The Women’s Peace Army (WPA), it liaises with other organisations to establishing alongside the Sisterhood achieve its intended aims of global of International Peace (SIP) in 1915, peace and justice. was a proactive women’s peace 16 Ellen Jordan, ‘Felicia Hopkins’, organisation which worked to mobilise accessed September 18, 2008. Available Australian women to act in opposition at http://www.abd.online.anu.edu.au/ to war and conflict. The organisation’s biogs/A090364b.htm. political foundations can be recognised 17 Aline Gillespie, Widening Horizons: as emanating from socialist philosophy, The YWCA in Queensland, 1888–1988, wherein it attributed the onset of war to Brisbane, 1995, p. 4. the rise of capitalism and imperialism. 18 Ibid, p. 4. Despite its success and popularity 19 Cited in Hellen Cooke, WILPF throughout its early days, the WPA Australia: Heritage and History, In A went into recess in 1919, following the Festival of Peace: Celebrating 90 Years cessation of World War I hostilities and of the Women’s International League the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. for Peace and Freedom, M. Bearlin, H. 12 Malcolm Saunders, ‘The Early Years of Cooke and B. Meyer (eds.), Canberra, the Australian Section of the Women’s 2005, p. 3. International League for Peace and 20 Ibid, p. 3. Freedom: 1915–49’, Journal of the 21 Women’s International League for Peace Royal Australian Historical Society, and Freedom (WILPF), Australian vol. 82, 1996, p. 180. Section Report: 1919–1921, p. 1.

35 22 Ibid, p. 2. 33 Mary Ziesak, Interview conducted on 23 International League for Peace and October 15, 2008. Freedom (WILPF), Australian Section 34 Brenda Lewis, Interview conducted on Report: 1922–1923, p. 3. October 15, 2008. 24 Malcolm Saunders, ‘The Early Years of 35 Women’s International League for the Australian Section of the Women’s Peace and Freedom, ‘Submission from International League for Peace and the Women’s International League Freedom: 1915–49’, Journal of the for Peace and Freedom (Australian Royal Australian Historical Society, Section) Inc. concerning the Agreement vol. 82, 1996, p. 185. between the Government of Australia 25 Ibid, p. 185. and the Government of the Russian 26 Ibid, p. 187. Federation on Cooperation in the Use of 27 Ibid, p. 187. Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes’, 28 Ibid, p. 188. Accessed January 17, 2009. Available 29 Mary Ziesak, interview conducted on at http://www.wilpf.org.au/PDFs/WIL October 15, 2008. PFsubmissiononRussianNuclear_ 30 Malcolm Saunders, ‘The Early Years of Treaty2008.pdf the Australian Section of the Women’s 36 Ibid. International League for Peace and 37 Brenda Lewis, Interview conducted on Freedom: 1915-49’, Journal of the October 15, 2008. Royal Australian Historical Society, 38 Women’s International League for vol. 82, 1996, p.188. Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Section 31 Save Our Sons (SOS) was a Report: Australia, Accessed January 17, highly proactive anti-conscription 2009. Available at http://www.wilpf. organisation which emerged following int.ch/events/2007Congress/reports/ the Australian Government’s decision sections/Australia.html to re-introduce military conscription as a result of the Vietnam War in 1965. 39 The Revolutionary Association for The group’s activities involved staging Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) was vocal protests and demonstrations established in 1977 as a women’s peace aimed at undermining support for the organisation opposing the oppressive Government’s conscription policy and regime implemented by the Taliban. raising awareness of the detrimental It has gained increasing recognition affects of war more generally. and membership since its formation, 32 The Youth Campaign Against making it today the oldest political Conscription (YCAC) was established and social organisation of Afghan in 1965 following the Australian women struggling for peace, freedom, Government’s decision to introduce a democracy and women’s rights in ballot-selection conscription system to Afghanistan. substantiate troop numbers in Vietnam. 40 Founded in the aftermath of the terrorist The Campaign organised protests and attacks upon the US on September 11, rallies aimed at voicing opposition 2001, Just Peace is a Brisbane-based to the Government’s conscription organisation whose goal is to raise policy and ultimately aimed to prompt public awareness about alternatives Australia’s withdrawal of forces from to war and the necessity of justice in Vietnam. achieving lasting peace.

36 41 Soroptimist International Brisbane City (SIBC) emerged in 1994 as a women’s peace organisation stemming from the wider movement of Soroptimists International (SI) which had been in operation since the 1920s. Working in partnership with other groups and organisations, SIBC aims to achieve the advancement of women and children through the undertaking of projects that engender equality, sustainability, peace and human rights for all. 42 Believing Women for a Culture of Peace emerged in Brisbane in the 2003 as the culmination of efforts, by a small group of women, to develop a vision for uniting women in the greater Brisbane area who shared an interest in building understanding and relationships across faiths and cultures.

* * * * Review of

Market versus Nature: The Social Philosophy of Friedrich Hayek By Eric Aarons Australian Scholarly Publishing 2008

$34.95, paperback, ISBN 9781740971850, 150pp.

It is an irony that, in 1974, the Nobel Prize for Economics was granted to two economists. One was Gunnar Myrdal, the main architect of the Swedish welfare state, and the other

37 was Friedrich Hayek, champion of the markets cannot be just or unjust. Hayek free market system and avowed enemy believed that a belief in social justice is of any government interference in the ‘the gravest threat to most other values economy. of a free civilisation’.

Eric Aarons’ book, Market versus Hayek also espoused the view that the Nature, discusses Hayek’s economic unity of humanity was achieved by ideas, social and political philosophies everyone striving for greater material in some depth. It then points out how satisfaction. How is this material these ideas have failed abysmally to satisfaction to be achieved? Through help in the greatest challenge we face: markets, of course. climate change. However, any social or political Aarons opens his book with an philosophy needs to be compared with explanation of Hayek’s “ big idea”. For events on the ground in order to measure this read “markets”. Markets inform its validity. Even economists have to producers and consumers about making face reality. In Aarons’ fourth chapter choices concerning consumption and on democracy he cites Hayek’s view production. According to Hayek, on Chile under Pinochet’s dictatorship. markets determine prices and, through When asked his views on the country, this price mechanism, markets Hayek noted that he was opposed to efficiently and seamlessly balance long-term dictatorship but as a transition supply and demand. They therefore do to a stable liberal democracy ‘clean a better job than any central planner of impurities’ (Hayek’s words) yes, it can. Planners simply cannot have could be justified and recommended! sufficient information to set prices so that production will equate with If Hayek’s views on dictatorships (only consumption. temporary dictatorships of course) are Another major plank of Hayek’s less than palatable, then his ideas on ideas is “spontaneous order”. Again, the ideal democracy are nothing short read “markets”. Markets, according of bizarre. His brand of democracy to Hayek, produce a social order as a would have a legislature of 45-year-old result of people acting within the rules men and women representing “general of law and contract. opinion” elected for a 15-year term, when they would retire on a pension. Social justice, or at least Hayek’s view (But no pensions for those too old or ill of it, is discussed in chapter five. Yet to support themselves, one presumes.) again, read “markets”. As markets are All citizens would vote once in their impersonal processes, the results of lifetime at age 45 for a replacement in

38 the legislature. Hayek’s credibility is I would strongly advise the lay person severely stretched, I believe. to look at the entry on Hayek in the book quoted at the end of this review. Hayek’s influence on the neo-liberal This will then give the reader a general agendas of Reagan and Thatcher is introduction to Hayek’s ideas and better explored by Aarons in chapter nine equip him or her to tackle Aarons’ entitled TINA bites the dust (‘there is book. And finally, I would definitely no alternative’ – Thatcher’s dictum). prefer Myrdal to be treasurer. The application of free-market policies has led us up a blind alley, according Further reading: Fifty Major Economists to Aarons, and we need to rethink the Steven Pressman Routledge 1999 efficacy of the system. As Stern noted Peter Riedlinger in his report on climate change: ‘our current crisis represents the greatest * * * * market failure we have ever seen’.

Needless to say, Aarons’ book contains much more in scope and depth than I have briefly outlined here. However his book is not for the fainthearted. He has drawn from many sources and his bibliography reads like a Who’s Who of the social sciences. His arguments are usually sound but sometimes subtle to the point of obscurity. I found myself struggling with his meaning and leaps of argument at a few points.

Unfortunately, Aarons doesn’t mention other ideas of Hayek’s which challenge Hayek’s credibility. One of these is the issuing of currency. Hayek argued that government monopoly on the issue of currency leads to inflation as governments create money to pay their bills. Hayek proposed that private businesses be allowed to issue their own currency. Too bad if you have a wallet full of Coles’ dollars and can find only a Woolworths open!

39 Reviews of

Trade Unionism in Australia: A history from flood to ebb tide By Tom Bramble Cambridge University Press, New York, 2008

$49.95 (20% discount to BLHA members), paperback ISBN: 13:9780521716123., xv + 293pp.

(Also available in hardback.)

After the Waterfront: The Workers are Quiet By LeftPress Collective LeftPress Printing Society, Brisbane, 2007

$10, paperback, 144pp.

Both these books are important interpretations of recent Australian trade union history and should be read by those interested in this area. Trade Unionism in Australia: A history from flood to ebb tide is much more academic, but this is not taking anything away from LeftPress Collective’s offering, After the Waterfront: The Workers are Quiet. The latter book is the result of ten years of research from a committed group of unionists.

40 Essentially, both books have a similar period, 1968–74, is described as a theme. Trade unionism in Australia “flood” as unions undertook a variety of in the past was militant in a number activities, for example the 1969 O’Shea of areas, but recent years have seen tramway strike, the Nymboida mine a serious decline in militancy. Both and Harco Steel work-ins, Green Bans authors are searching for reasons for and actions over the Vietnam War. He this decline, and both suggest that if also sees this as a period when unions current leaders of trade unions were opened up to people not previously more militant this decline could be well represented: women, migrants and averted. white-collar workers. During this time the Whitlam Labor Government was LeftPress proposes a variety of elected and this resulted in a range of strategies which involve industrial changes in Australian society. militancy and a defiance of the “repressive” industrial laws in a The next period, 1974–83, he sees concerted campaign. Bramble suggests as a stand off between organised what is needed is an organised socialist labour and capital. It began with an group that can initiate such militancy economic crisis: the sacking of a and uses the example of the Minority Labor Government and the policies of Movement of the 1930s as a model that Malcolm Fraser. He sees this period as could be followed. He also uses two the beginning of the decline in union other examples of mass mobilisation membership and activism. of workers defying their own union leadership. He is impressed with the The next period is the ebb tide, 1983– broad union and community support for 2007, which begins with the Accord the MUA in 1998, but is unimpressed and is plagued by industrial disputes, by what he sees as the union leadership initiated by right-wing forces, which “trading” away workers’ conditions. weaken the position of the union His other example is the Mt Isa dispute movement: SEQEB, Mudginberri of 1964/65 in which workers defied Abattoir, Dollar Sweets, the MUA their own union leadership and rallied dispute. The election of the Howard behind the charismatic Pat Mackie, an Government in 1996 and its subsequent IWW advocate. introduction of the Workplace Relations Act and then WorkChoices are seen Bramble’s book is divided into as examples of the erosion of union four sections, chronologically and power. thematically. He begins with the post- war boom, 1946–67 and argues that As stated above, LeftPress Collective’s during this period, the trade union After the Waterfront is similar in its movement was gaining momentum theme. Where LeftPress differs from through its various struggles. The next Bramble is the way that the former

41 uses examples in a wider sense of how upon all major institutions of society. things “should be done now” from a Certain sections of the union movement perspective of the past. An example were at the forefront of this protest. of this is the discussion of the 1954 One of the fundamental propositions Waterside Workers Federation (WWF) of the “young Marx” was the need to dispute and the 1949 gaoling of former question the “end product of labour”. WWF Assistant General-Secretary Ted The NSW Builders Labourers’ Roach. One can only assume that the Federation did this in the 1970s with premise of this argument is what is Green Bans. There is a tendency in needed to go back to this militancy. This Bramble (and to a lesser extent in does not take into account the fact that LeftPress) to accept a development more than 50 years on, the industrial, model provided by technological political and technological landscape change. One of the broad criticisms has changed dramatically and even I would have of both books, but in though these are important examples, particular Bramble, is the total non- one should look at the comparative questioning of the “end product of aspect in a wider context. workers’ labour”. Bramble uses the car industry as an example of the lack of LeftPress provides a more detailed militancy when a car plant was shut description of some disputes and there down in 1981. However there is no is an extensive summary of the 1998 questioning of ways in which workers’ MUA dispute. One of the highlights for labour could be used to produce socially me was the ”oral history” description useful products, such as directing of the night at Swanston Dock (pp. production into public transport or 92–95) when the community joined the clean energy. There is no proposition unionists in preventing police clearing put forward of how unions could the docks. develop policies around environmental and other problems associated with the It is difficult to do justice to both car industry. these books’ work in a short review, particularly Bramble, as he touches on As stated above, these are two important so many areas of trade union activity. books that need detailed analysis by One of the strengths of Bramble is his active trade unionists, academics and discussion of the immense social and those interested in the “politics” and political upheaval during his “1968–74 history of trade unions. Both these flood time” and how that linked with books go a long way towards helping the changes in the communist parties the process of reflection and analysis and hence the union movement. The about the trade union movement’s political protests against the Vietnam history and future. War by students, unionists and the Greg Mallory general community had a major effect * * * * 42 Firefighters are held with the highest community respect and trust for their courage in tackling fires, expertise in rescuing people and dedication to duty. Yet until the last decade or so low wages, long hours and potentially dangerous working conditions — sometimes lethal — were their meagre recompense in Queensland. In Against All Odds, the History of the United Firefighters Union in Queensland 1917–2008, Bradley Bowden reveals the protracted and dogged campaign fought by the state’s firefighters not only to redress these injustices through trade unionism but to do so more effectively through their own industrial organisation. The book traces and analyses the turbulent history of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) in Queensland, with an underpinning thesis that, considering all the challenges confronting the union, Review of the existence today of the Queensland branch of the UFU has indeed been Against All Odds: The against the odds. History of the United Foremost of the forces arrayed against Firefighters Union in the UFU has been the powerful Australian Workers Union (AWU) Queensland 1917-2008 in which firefighters placed their By Bradley Bowden welfare in 1917. In 1949, and still working a 56-hour week and with The Federation Press, poor remuneration and conditions, firefighters attempted to form their Leichhardt, 2008 own union. The AWU crushed this ISBN 978 186287 698 9 (hbk) $49.95, and subsequent independence efforts 176 pp. until the firefighters succeeded in 1966. The new union then faced opposition ISBN 978 186 287 693 4 (pbk) to registration and legal challenge by $29.95, 176 pp. the AWU, as well as a campaign to

43 force members back through threats for a focused campaign for better wages and intimidation. The battle continued and safe working conditions. until 1994 when the then Queensland Industrial Relations Commission As Bowden points out, with denied the AWU any further right to progressive amalgamations in recent recruit full-time firefighters. decades and union density at an all- time low, the appearance of a small The Queensland Industrial Court, and independent body, now with often taking the AWU side, then almost total membership, certainly blocked UFU registration until 1976. sets the UFU apart by running against Fire authorities similarly proved historical trends. Indeed, the passion intransigent in not recognising the and commitment of the activist core UFU while privileging the AWU. are reminiscent of the formative years Board antipathy to the union was most of Australian unionism in the early th clearly demonstrated in Rockhampton 20 century. Where the Rockhampton where, in 1970, most UFU firefighters dispute is concerned, families divided were dismissed and the remaining few and union dirty tricks harks back victimised. That treatment persisted to Grouper days and clandestine Movement activities which arguably even after the reinstatement of sacked raged more fiercely in that city in the workers in 1974. The existence of 1950s than elsewhere in Queensland. 81 separate boards prior to creation Time warp aside, the AWU could not of the Queensland Fire Service in have chosen a worse place to wage 1990 did little to assist union efforts; war because, as the author accurately and the segregated nature of the fire observes, ‘Rockhampton was [at least service — officers, rank-and-file in those days] a “union” town’ (p. 58) fighters, auxiliaries and volunteers where AWU firefighters who continued — made unity difficult to achieve. The to work after the UFU dismissals fundamental problem, however, has were publicly reviled as “scabs”. been reluctance by governments of Compounding those feelings was both colours to recognise, and provide the local union movement’s general adequate funding for, a professional- disdain for the AWU, due as much to standard fire service. Even within the the latter’s aloofness to Trades Hall UFU after 1976, a legacy of distrust of affairs as to its long-standing reputation union officials, historic metropolitan- for body-snatching and bullying. regional divisions and personality clashes brought internal disputes and Writing a commissioned history is not “brutish” factional warfare (p. 94). an easy task at the best of times, with Only as recently as 1996 did the UFU pressure often placed on the author to achieve the unity and stability necessary sanitise the past on the one hand and

44 to “get the facts right” on the other. Bowden brings this history to life for This is more problematic in cases the reader. where factional strains remain fresh in the memory and those concerned will Two aspects of writing could do with scrutinise the text for their own version closer editorial attention however. One of “the truth”. In this case, and as is the at times lengthy and detailed Bowden acknowledges, present UFU chapter introductions and conclusions officials have allowed unrestricted which can create the impression access to union records and given of repetition or out-of-sequence the author freedom to construct a narrative. The second aspect relates to history based on his assessment of some typographical errors which the the evidence. Understandably, in this publishers should have detected and David-and-Goliath struggle between rectified. Notwithstanding those minor the UFU and the often combined forces points, Bradley Bowden’s Against of the AWU, fire authorities, the court All Odds: The History of the United and government, the UFU as a whole is Firefighters Union in Queensland portrayed in a favourable light and its 1917–2008 is a well researched and foes left wanting. Yet Bowden supports written work; a most worthy contribution his stance with cogent and well- to the labour history literature and an referenced evidence drawn, in addition enjoyable and enlightening read. to oral testimony, from an extensive and Barbara Webster diverse range of documentary sources. CQUniversity Australia, But this book is more than just the Rockhampton campus struggle of a union for survival. The Endnote author sets this saga against a backdrop 1 EP Thompson, The making of the of changing firefighting organisation, English working class, Penguin, methods and equipment to allow a better London, 1980, p. 8. appreciation of both the occupational challenges faced by firefighters and the * * * * strong sense of mateship engendered by a dangerous working environment that underpinned activists’ persistence over the years. These elements are brought into sharper focus in a series of vignettes which set the scene for most chapters and are interspersed elsewhere in the text. By incorporating “real people in a real context”1 in this way, in the vein of EP Thompson,

45 subversive secret way it has functioned in Australian society, (c) argues that it has secretly engaged in anti-democratic and un-Australian political activities, and (d) concludes that ASIO has acted in such a way as to reduce our basic rights and freedoms, has improperly interfered with the democratic process, and is morally repugnant to the theory of an open liberal democracy. Tubbs also expresses forthright views on other topics such as the “War on Terror” and the Iraq War.

Tubbs argues that ASIO was not formed as a result of any parliamentary, cabinet or caucus decision but merely as a result of a decision of Prime Minister Chifley, issuing a directive on Review of 16 March 1949, a directive that Tubbs argues had no constitutional force or legal standing. Six months after taking ASIO: The Enemy Within office, Prime Minister Menzies issued his own, more specific “directive” By Michael Tubbs entitled Charter of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Michael Tubbs 2008 which then operated for seven years without any parliamentary authority $35, 275pp. until the passage of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act ASIO: The Enemy Within (a) looks 1956 (“the 1956 Act”) which, among inside the Australian Security other things, purported to legislate for Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) ASIO to have a legitimate existence and its files in an attempt to analyse retrospective to 16 March 1949. Then, how and why ASIO was formed and the 1959 Act extended ASIO’s powers its purpose and operation within the which led to a further erosion of our political and democratic processes of civil liberties. our society, (b) argues that ASIO was an illegal organisation for at least the first Tubbs asserts that ASIO was seven years of its existence and in the established by Chifley for ulterior

46 domestic political processes of a non- a “national security” function but constitutional nature, namely, to stem rather, further concludes that a major the perceived political influence of reason the Liberal Party was able to the left in Australia and to protect his rule from 1949 (soon after ASIO was leadership from the left within the formed) until December 1972, was in ALP, and that Menzies knew he could part because of the assistance given continue it in the knowledge that the to it by ASIO’s domestic spying on ALP opposition could not publicly its political opposition, including all object to its continuation because it had political parties to its left. Its alleged been created by Chifley. security role with the Department of Immigration was also significant Tubbs argues that within our society, because it gave ASIO a major say, if ASIO is the most dangerous threat to not ultimate control, over who entered our security, welfare, freedoms and Australia as migrants or otherwise, and rights — it is the “enemy within”. thus, in the larger context, who would He argues that it has had a marked engage in politics in this country. detrimental effect on our multi-party participatory form of liberal democracy Tubbs acknowledges that he has relied by its general activities and its supreme heavily on the media of the day for his say in combating any political party or “facts”. He further acknowledges that set of values it perceives as subversive the “standard of proof” he has relied of the corporate socio-economic upon is that of former Prime Minister system. Further, he argues that ASIO Howard who, Tubbs argues, introduced has been, in a direct sense, a significant, a lower standard of proof than that used if not major force in making Australia by our Courts, namely that “it was in a “meaner” and more violent society. the media”, which is just as high, if not Further, Tubbs argues that one of higher, than the “proof” that Howard ASIO’s flaws is that it was formed used to commit Australia to the war in to meet perceived threats to vested Iraq. private sectional interests, which are interests other than those of the public Tubbs himself is a very interesting or national interest. character in that he arrived in Australia from England in 1950 as a 15-year-old Tubbs notes that in ASIO’s 60 years child migrant and worked as a labourer, of operation, it has never charged trade union official, political activist, anyone with a single criminal act, and organiser for the Communist Party whether for treason, spying, terrorism of Australia before graduating in law or sabotage, despite compiling millions with First Class Honours in 1979 when of files on Australian citizens. Hence, he commenced a 20-year career at the he concludes that it does not have Sydney Bar. This background, together

47 with being watched and reported on A Probe into Disturbing by ASIO for almost a lifetime, being the subject of a substantial ASIO file History which for the period from 1963 to (A Report on Mick Tubbs’ 1974 (the only parts to which he has Book Launch) been granted access) constitutes over 1,500 pages, being a barrister who has appeared for people who had been the THE launch in Brisbane on 1 November subject of adverse assessment by ASIO last of a new book of Australian spy and someone who has had access networks took many of those present on to countless files held on citizens a trip down memory lane to dark days by ASIO, enables him to write with of Cold War confrontations between some authority on this very important society’s progressive activists and their subject. oppressors. Tubbs’ writing style is that of a political commentator and/or activist rather than ASIO: The Enemy Within by Mick that of a lawyer, and this publication is Tubbs will be reviewed by another in neither a legal nor any other kind of text this journal; my task here is to report book on ASIO. While accepting that it is on the extraordinary information which a work that relies upon limited sources was provided to we who were privileged (an understandable shortcoming), it is to be present at the Brisbane Workers an interesting commentary on ASIO’s Community Centre in Paddington for birth and its clouded history. While it the launch; an event well compered is somewhat repetitive in parts, it deals by barrister Bob Reed and with an with a very serious topic and should be illuminating contribution from guest read by anyone with an interest in civil speaker Geoff Wilson, State Member liberties in Australia. for Ferny Grove. Dan O’Gorman Mick Tubbs, a 1950 child migrant from the UK, did labouring work, became a * * * * union activist and an organiser for the Communist Party of Australia and at the age of 44 graduated from Macquarie University with first class honours in a law degree, leading him to a successful career as a Sydney barrister until his 1998 retirement, when wine-making attracted his attention. Now he’s just a remarkably energetic activist for sharing important knowledge.

48 To be in the same room as Mick Tubbs of ASIO: The Enemy Within. This gives one the feeling of sharing space commentator strongly recommends the with a great, rippling source of energy, book to all who are interested in those which radiates to touch everyone increasingly remote concepts (to many present. There’s a mind ticking away in Australian politicians) of civil liberties, that head — held about six feet off the our right to know and our right to ground by a solidly-framed body — that disagree. never stops the process of evaluating and correlating wisps of information to Equally disturbing was the revelation create a clearly comprehensible episode by guest speaker Geoff Wilson of the in his life’s narrative. absolute powers exercised by another organisation charged with spying on His decades of union and political individuals: the Australian Building and activism drew him to the attention of Construction Commission. Established the Australian Security Intelligence by the Howard Government in a blatant Organisation (ASIO). Years later attack on the rights of building industry Mick turned the tables on that spooky unions and individuals working in the organisation: he conducted his own trade, the ABCC has powers (like ASIO investigation into the history and shady and the Federal police) to interrogate activities of the internal intelligence and demand answers — under a threat body that was created without legal of imprisonment for refusal to co- sanction and has continued to exist operate — from any one it chooses. as a lie: it has never been about People targeted by ABCC can also “safeguarding the security of all be jailed for telling any other person Australians”, but rather a source of of their experience. And the ABCC is intrusion and intimidation against all answerable to no one: Geoff Wilson Australians who dare to speak out pointed out that it is not required to against the “status quo” of our nation’s report to Parliament on its activities. politics. Those interested should contact http:// www.worklife.org.au/ or the ETU or Mick’s many anecdotes, based on his CFMEU for more information. years of the most intricate research, informed and re-affirmed the views that Mick Tubbs’ powerful book — and not only has ASIO been an enemy of the Geoff’s timely reminder — provided people, but also that there was an act this participant at the launch (and, I’m of political treachery in the fact it was sure, many others) with the need to DO established by Labor Prime Minister something; to not allow complacency to Ben Chifley. To reveal more of Mick’s distract form the need for some political lengthy and fascinating address would activism. A study of the similarities reveal material that undoubtedly will between the draconian “anti-terrorist” be covered in the forthcoming review laws passed by Howard and the

49 legislation empowering the ABCC is a starting point for me. Knowledge is power!

These fascist-type organisations that have grown in our midst have no place in a decent, law-abiding social democracy, and Mick and Geoff convinced me that only our silence will guarantee their continued survival. For copies of ASIO: The Enemy Within contact Greg Mallory, BLHA, Tony Reeves * * * *

At the launch of Mick Tubb’s book 1 November at BWCC: L-R Greg Mallory, Jack Saunders, Peter Fleming, Doug Devonshire, John Spreckley, Bob Reed, Mick Tubbs.

50 The Flames of Discontent Rekindled at Woodford Folk Festival (A Review of Two Concerts)

Alistair Hulett performing at the Concert Stage before the CFMEU slide show. Photo Doug Eaton.

Dale and Greg at the Concert Stage. Martin Pearson performing at The Muse. Photo Shelly Greer. Photo Doug Eaton.

51 “To fan the flames of discontent” Rowe, whose repertoire of Australian — that was the defiant banner of The and Celtic music often has a strong Little Red Songbook published for 50 political edge; troubadour Tommy years by The Industrial Workers of Leonard who travels widely gathering the World (IWW). In 1979, during the material for his own song writing and Utah Dispute, the Seamen’s Union of performing (in 1997 he released his Australia put their case in song in an CD, A Gentle Breeze, featuring 18 of album produced by Don Henderson Don Henderson’s ballads); and Martin called Flames of Discontent. It wasn’t Pearson, always a festival favourite. all political. Many songs were written The full house of folkies and unionists for no other reason than to sing about listened intently and sang along with the jobs of the labour force. many familiar songs. It was a warm and wonderful concert which included, Then, in 1992/93, Don Henderson amongst other songs: Alistair Hulett’s brought the Flames of Discontent to He Fades Away, sung with much the Union Stage at the Maleny Folk sentiment by Helen; Ho Chi Min by Festival. Tommy; and The Tolpuddle Martyrs by Martin. Most readers of this Journal will be aware of the Flames of Discontent The following evening at the Concert concerts that the BLHA has staged over Stage, The Flames of Discontent the past couple of years in an attempt attracted an audience of 800. It to rekindle and celebrate the strong was quite a production, including a bond between the folk movement and slide show of historical photos from the labour movement. Last year, BLHA CFMEU Construction and General members Dale Jacobsen and Doug Division by BLHA treasurer Jason Eaton held discussions with Woodford Stein. Alistair Hulett and Dave Rovics, Folk Festival Director, Bill Hauritz, two powerful voices from Scotland with a view to bringing the concerts to and the US, began the concert with The the Festival — in part, to replace the Internationale, successfully fanning Union Stage that was once a strong the flames of discontent. Alistair is one feature of the Maleny and Woodford of the defining voices in Scottish folk Festivals. music, with a sense of social awareness and the belief that the way forward in These discussions resulted in two society is for the working class to take hugely successful concerts being political and economic power. staged at the Woodford Folk Festival. Rekindling the Flames of Discontent, One of Australia’s pre-eminent folk held at “The Muse” on the first music families, The Fagans, has fanned day of the festival, featured: Helen the flames for many years around folk

52 clubs and festivals. They delighted the A magnificent hand-sewn silk crowd, particularly with Margaret’s backdrop, created by Annette Hood rendition of Dorothy Hewett’s Weevils for the original Flames of Discontent in the Flour. The concert concluded event in 1992, was on display at both with the powerful voice of Leah concerts. Cotterell accompanied by Jamie Clark on guitar. The full cast joined Leah and The enthusiasm with which these two Jamie for her song, Worth Fighting For; concerts was received proves there is a powerful end to a powerful concert. a need for such content at this (and other) festivals, and it is great news that they will become a regular feature at Woodford. Dale Lorna Jacobsen

* * * * The Fagans performing at the Concert Stage. Photo Doug Eaton.

Helen Rowe performing at The Muse before the BLHA banner. Photo Doug Eaton.

Tommy Leonard performing at The Muse. Photo Doug Eaton.

53 CONTRIBUTORS Jim Crawford (playwright) and George Eaton (teacher, actor, producer) (2005) Barbara Webster is a senior lecturer in History at CQUniversity, Rockhampton Dale Lorna Jacobsen is a freelance campus, and completed her doctorate writer living in the mountains of in trade union history. She has Maleny in south-east Queensland, prior published in labour and local history in to which she was an environmental the Rockhampton context and is now scientist at Griffith University and working on a history of working life at a luthier. Dale is Secretary of the Gladstone Power Station. Brisbane Labour History Association. She is currently working on a book on Bob Reed currently practices as a the ARU and the ALP in Queensland barrister in Brisbane, principally in the during the 1920s. areas of industrial and employment law, human rights law and criminal Dan O’Gorman S.C. has been Lecturer law. From 1977 to 1988 he worked and Facilitator at the Legal Practice as a painter and docker in the ports of Course and Bar Practice Course, Brisbane and Sydney and from 1995 QUT, since 1989. Legal adviser to to 1999 as a research officer for the Federal Ministers / Shadow Ministers Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous 1981–1984; Solicitor and Barrister, Workers’ Union. Australian Government Solicitor’s Office, 1985–1988; appointed senior Connie Healy worked in trade counsel in 2006. His main areas of union offices and at The University practice are: Administrative Law; of Queensland. Twice married: first Human Rights/Discrimination Law/ husband, an air force navigator, Equal Opportunities Law; Employment killed in World War II: second was Law and Criminal Law. He was a QTLC Secretary 1942-52. Connie member of Security Legislation Review was widowed 1988. Awards — 1992: Committee reviewing Australia’s The Denis J. Murphy Memorial terrorism laws, 2005-2006; instructor Scholarship UofQ: for academic merit with the Australian Advocacy Institute; to a postgraduate student intending Member of Equalising Opportunities to undertake research into the history in the Law Committee, Law Council of the labour movement in Australia; of Australia; Joint Convenor of Human 1994 MA (History/English) at the Rights and Equal Opportunities UofQ; 2001 the Centenary Medal: Committee, Queensland Bar ‘For distinguished service to industrial Association. He travelled to Bangladesh relations’. Publications include: from 1996–2004 and 2006 as a member Defiance: Political Theatre in Brisbane of the Australian Bar Association’s 1930-1962 (Based on her research for delegation to conduct Intensive Trial MA thesis) (2000); five articles for Advocacy Workshops. Radical Brisbane an unruly history (2004); two entries for supplement to Greg Mallory is an Adjunct Lecturer Australian Dictionary of Biography: in the Department of Employment

54 Relations at Griffith University. His passion to bring Australian pre-history book, Uncharted Waters: Social and history alive in children’s books, Responsibility in Australian Trade and, because she can’t help herself, Unions, was published in 2005. He politics. has co-authored The Coalminers of Queensland, Vol 2: The Pete Thomas Tanya Negerevich is a student of Essays with Pete Thomas, published Political Science and International in December 2007. Greg is currently Studies at the UofQ. Her areas of working on a book which is a series interest in this field of study have of oral histories of some of the leading included issues relating to non- identities in the Brisbane Rugby League governmental organisations, ethics competition. It is to be launched in May and the study of conflict resolution. In 2009. He is also working on conference 2008, Tanya undertook an internship papers and a book on leadership and its with the Women’s International relationship with rank and file activism League for Peace and Freedom in left-wing trade unions. (WILPF), deepening her interest in gender issues and exploring the role Katrina Barben was a member of the of women’s peace activism in global Women’s Liberation Movement at the society. Currently, Tanya is completing time of the Education and Sexuality a Master of International Studies at the pamphlet, although she was not one of UofQ, specialising in the field of Peace the women who distributed it. She did, and Conflict Resolution. however, attempt to challenge Gabby Horan on talkback radio. Tony Reeves is a member of the BLHA and is author of two non-fiction Peter Riedlinger works in education books: (Mr Big, Lennie McPherson and has been a member of the and his life of crime, 2005, and Mr Queensland Teachers’ union for more Sin, the Abe Saffron Dossier, 2007; that three decades. both Allen & Unwin). The former won the Crime Writers Association 2005 Sheryl Gwyther is the Brisbane Ned Kelly Prize for true crime. He is author of children’s novel, Secrets of currently researching the extent and Eromanga (Lothian Books). She’s influence of Nazism in Australia from the recipient of an Australian Society the beginnings of that movement in of Authors Mentorship, and in 2008 Germany to the present time. was awarded a May Gibbs Children’s * * * * Literature Trust Fellowship to work on her current project, The Mountain, a Young Adult novel based on the Mt Mulligan coalmine disaster in 1921. As well as writing stories and articles for young people Sheryl keeps a blog http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com/ that focuses on the writing-life; her

55 Noticeboard

The Australian Society for the Study of Labour History, Perth Branch, is hosting The Eleventh National Labour History Conference

8–10 July 2009 The State School Teachers Union of WA [Inc], 150–152 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, WA. Convenor: Dr Bobbie Oliver, Department of Social Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, GPO BOX U1987, PERTH WA 6845. phone: +61 8 9266 3215 Fax: +61 8 9266 3166 Email: [email protected] Website: www/asslh.org.au/perth

* * * *

BLHA proudly brings to Brisbane The Inaugural Alex Macdonald Memorial Lecture To be presented by Professor Margaret Levi Joint Professor of Politics, United States Study Centre, Sydney University Bacharach Professor of International Studies, University of Washington Former Harry Bridges Chair in the Harry Bridges Centre for Labor Studies (HBCLS), UW

56 Professor Margaret Levi

For full CV, see http://faculty.washington.edu/mlevi/

With introductory talks by: Manfred Cross, Alan Anderson, Hughie Hamilton Chaired by Ron Monaghan (QCU General Secretary)

Alex Macdonald (1910 – 1969) was many things: ironworker, trade union official, Communist, Secretary of T.L.C., negotiator, promoter of youth education and employment, historian, pacifist...To commemorate this remarkable man, the BLHA will hold an annual lecture in his honour.

Thursday 14 May 2009, 6.oopm for 6.30pm, William Gallagher Auditorium, QCU, 16 Peel Street Enquiries: Greg Mallory: 0407 692 377 [email protected].

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CALL FOR PAPERS The Brisbane Labour History Association in association with The Australian Society for the Study of Labour History and The Department of Employment Relations, Griffith University is hosting a special conference and thematic section for the national journal Labour History

57 Red, Green and In-between: Reviewing Labour and the Environment in Historical Context

6 February 2010, Griffith University (South Bank campus), Brisbane, Australia

Convenors/Guest Editors: Janis Bailey, Dale Jacobsen and Greg Mallory

This conference will highlight the interface of two of the most significant social movements of modern times: the labour movement and the environmental movement. The title chosen, ‘Red, Green and In-between’, emphasises the tensions and the possible productive alliances between ‘older’ movements of working class people and ‘new’ social movements such as the environmental movement, and research that explores these issues.

Examples of topics include: (1) The Red in the Green: Involvement of the organised labour movement and individual unions in environmental issues (2) The Red and the Green: Coalitions and alliances between the labour movement and the environmental movement (3) People in Place: The role of grassroots environmental activism outside the formal labour movement (4) Never the Twain: Tensions and contradictions at the interface of labour and the environment (5) Boundaries and Borders: Theoretical concerns regarding the intersection of labour history and environmental history (6) Land and Livelihood: Indigenous takes on labour and the environment

Intending contributors should electronically submit an abstract (500-1000 words) to the editors by 30 October 2009 for consideration. Full papers (6,000-8,000 words) for the conference will be due on 22 January 2010.

Intending contributors will then participate in the conference, and submit their revised papers by 5 March 2010 for blind refereeing for the special thematic section of Labour History, which will appear in the November 2010 issue.

There is no financial assistance available for travel to the conference. However, BLHA members are willing to billet regional, interstate and overseas paper presenters, and there is no conference charge for presenters.

58 Full details of the conference, including program and keynote speakers, will be circulated to potential attendees in November 2009. Music, dinner and fabulous keynote speakers are promised.

All enquiries about the conference and special thematic section should be addressed to: Janis Bailey, j.bailey@griffith.edu.au, Dale Jacobsen, [email protected] or Greg Mallory, [email protected].

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FORTHCOMING BLHA & ASSLH EVENTS

14 May 2009 The Inaugural Alex Macdonald Memorial Lecture To be presented by Professor Margaret Levi Thursday 14 May 2009, 6.oopm for 6.30pm, William Gallagher Auditorium, QCU, 16 Peel Street Enquiries: Greg Mallory: 0407 692 377 [email protected].

8–10 July 2009 Labour in History Conference The State School Teachers Union of WA [Inc], 150–152 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, WA. Enquiries – Email: Bobbie Oliver, [email protected] Website: www/ asslh.org.au/perth

6 February 2010 BLHA Conference Red, Green and In-between: Reviewing Labour and the Environment in Historical Context 6 February 2010, Griffith University (South Bank campus), Brisbane, Australia Enquiries – Email: Janis Bailey, j.bailey@griffith.edu.au

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