Commonwealth Liberal Party

The Commonwealth Liberal Party (CLP) was a political party in Australia from 1909 to 1917. It was also known as The Fusion, or the Deakinite Liberal Party. It is the earliest direct ancestor of the modern Liberal Party of Australia.

The party was formed after the Australian Labor Party formed its second government in 1908.  Business leaders told Alfred Deakin, the leader of the Protectionist Party, and Joseph Cook, leader of the Anti-Socialist Party, to join forces to oppose the Labor Party. In 1909, the Protectionists and Anti-Socialists joined to form the CLP.  Deakin was the new party's first leader, with Cook as deputy leader.  Several of the more liberal Protectionists left and joined Labor.  

The Protectionists and Anti-Socialists had a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. The new party used its numbers to force Prime Minister Andrew Fisher to resign. Deakin became Prime Minister for the third time. However, the CLP was defeated by Labor at its first election, less than a year later in 1910. 

Cook took over from Deakin shortly before the 1913 election and won government by a single seat.  One year later, Cook introduced a bill removing special treatment for union members.  Cook knew the Labor Party had the numbers in Senate to defeat the bill. When the Senate rejected it twice, Cook had an excuse to call an early election for 5 September. This was the first double dissolution election in Australia. However CLP was soundly defeated, and Labor became the government. 

In November 1916, the CLP made a deal with the Prime Minister Billy Hughes. Hughes had been forced to leave the ALP for supporting conscription in World War I. He set up a new party called the National Labor Party.  In February 1917, the CLP and National Labor joined to form the Nationalist Party of Australia.  Although the new party had more Liberals, Hughes became its leader with Cook as his deputy.

Today the Commonwealth Liberal Party is usually called the Deakinite Liberal Party so it will not be confused with the modern Liberal Party of Australia.

 Leaders 

 Alfred Deakin 1909-13
 Joseph Cook 1913-16

References
Australian Dictionary of Biography - Alfred Deakin 
Australian Dictionary of Biography - Joseph Cook 

Other websites


Category:1909 establishments in Oceania
Category:1917 disestablishments
Category:1900s establishments in Australia
Category:1900s disestablishments in Australia