The Free Trade Party (officially Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association), renamed in 1906 as the Anti-Socialist Party, was an Australian political party, formally organised from 1889 until 1909. It favoured the abolition of protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. It was centred in New South Wales, where its leaders were Sir Henry Parkes and Sir George Reid. It dominated...
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The Free Trade Party (officially Australian Free Trade and Liberal Association), renamed in 1906 as the Anti-Socialist Party, was an Australian political party, formally organised from 1889 until 1909. It favoured the abolition of protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. It was centred in New South Wales, where its leaders were Sir Henry Parkes and Sir George Reid. It dominated New South Wales colonial politics before federation.
In the elections for the first Commonwealth Parliament, the Free Traders formed the second largest group in the Australian House of Representatives, with 25 seats. Reid became the Parliament's first Opposition Leader with William McMillan as his deputy, later becoming Prime Minister in 1904-05. Joseph Cook became deputy leader of the party on McMillan's retirement in 1903.
After the question of tariffs had largely been settled, Reid cast around for another cause to justify his party's...
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