FROM THE ARCHIVES

PRESS COVER ON THE DEBATE OVER ECONOMIC RATIONALISM AND THE REVIVAL OF CLASSICAL LIBERALISM DURING THE 1980s

The revival started during the 1970s and a decade later when the Liberals were moving in the appropriate direction the debate warmed up in the political arena and in the press.

A sample of cuttings from my New Right file.

Courtesy of Rafe's Rathouse, a website of hidden treasures. 

John Hyde on the hysteria of the critics.

Alan Ashbolt, far left pioneer in the ABC, reviews a collection of papers rubbishing the New Right, notably citing dozens of their own publications but next to nothing from the actual people or think tanks of  the movement.

A piece from The Bulletin documenting the “over the top” rhetoric of Bob Hawke and others attempting to discredit the reformers.

The national president of the ALP, calling the troops to rally and defeat the New Right.

Neville Wran, in the John Curtin Memorial Lecture, calls the NR “anti-Australian”.

A piece by (then) young Glenn Milne on “the politics of hate”.

A silly piece by Phillip Adams.

Barry Unsworth, then Premier of NSW, preparing to “beat the issue of the NR to death” before the Greiner landslide. Sadly, much of the Greiner landslide was a reaction against Federal ALP reforms and they struggled to win a second term.

Employer representative labels the NR “fascists”!  Over the top attacks were bipartisan.

SMH commentary on the radicalism of the NR. Not too bad for the SMH! It has clearly gone backwards.

Strong language from the Labor left – nazis!

Gary Punch (ALP) on the IR landscape after an epic win for the good guys at the Mudginberri meatworks. The Mudginberri story from the HR Nicholls site.

Senator Walsh warns that the bad guys are taking over the Libs. If only!

John Hyde on the capture of the intellectual high ground. On the high and dry ground!

Entry to the Main Site.