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Clip description
Deputy Prime Minister and member for Capricornia, Frank Forde, speaks directly to his electorate prior to the federal election on 28 September 1946.
Curator’s notes
This is a segment of Frank Forde’s 1946 campaign address, produced as a cinema newsreel. In the address, Forde had firstly thanked the theatre management for giving him ‘in their characteristic impartiality’ the opportunity of speaking to his electorate. As can be seen in the clip, he then goes on to apologise for not being able to meet each person and speak to them individually. While addresses such as this are now broadcast on radio and television regularly and unapologetically at election time, in 1946 politicians were still coming to grips with their growing dependence on the media.
In his address, Forde appeals to his Queensland constituents in his three capacities: as Deputy Prime Minister, as a cabinet minister (then Minister for the Army) and as their local member. However the election proved a disappointment for him. Although Labor won a significant victory, Forde lost his Capricornia seat after 24 years serving the electorate. After his defeat he was appointed High Commissioner to Canada, but returned to politics as a member of the Queensland State Parliament in 1955.
Forde was a very interesting Labor personality. His distinction as Australia’s shortest serving Prime Minister (holding the position for only eight days) conceals the depth of his experience in office and his contribution to the running of the country. While leadership of the ALP eluded him on more than one occasion, his dedication and loyalty to the party never wavered. With a reputation for conscientiousness and hard work, he was a cabinet minister in the Scullin, Curtin and Chifley governments, Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 1932 to 1941 and Deputy Prime Minister from 1941 to 1946. Forde’s commitment to politics reputedly extended beyond his retirement, right up until his death. It’s said that on the occasion of his funeral on 1 February 1983, Bill Hayden was persuaded to surrender the leadership of the ALP to Bob Hawke – who on 5 March 1983 led the party to government in a landslide election victory.
