Liberal Party 80th Anniversary
21 Oct 2024
Last week marked 80 years since the Liberal Party of Australia was founded by former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies to uphold the values of individual freedom and free enterprise.
Throughout its history the Liberal Party has a very proud record of managing our economy well, providing hardworking Australians with the opportunity to get ahead, keeping Australians safe, and delivering important social reform.
It was the Liberal Party that oversaw Australia's post-war economic expansion between 1949 and 1972. During this period, our economy tripled in size and millions of Australians became home owners.
It was also the Liberals that delivered another period of unprecedented economic growth between 1996 and 2007. 2.2 million jobs were created, Labor's $96 billion debt was repaid, and landmark tax reform was delivered.
Australia’s most important security relationship was cemented in 1951 under the Liberals with the ANZUS Treaty. Seventy years later, this was built upon with the landmark AUKUS agreement which is vital to Australia's continued security.
After the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, the Liberals, under Prime Minister John Howard's leadership, showed great courage in delivering national firearm legislation that has kept Australians safe from the threat of gun violence.
The Liberal Party has also delivered important social reforms, including dismantling the White Australia policy and the 1967 referendum for Indigenous Australians. In 1971, Senator Neville Bonner became Australia's first Indigenous Member of Parliament, representing the Liberal Party of Australia.
It was the Liberal Party that appointed the first female Whip, the first woman in Cabinet, and the first woman to hold ministerial responsibility.
For 80 years, the Liberal Party has tackled the challenges of our time, while defending institutions that have stood the test of time.
The Liberal Party will continue to deliver for Australians over the next eighty years and beyond
tackling the major challenges our country faces, including housing, energy, and national security.
To learn more about the Liberal Party's proud 80-year history of standing up for liberal values and working to improve the lives of all Australians follow the link below to watch a short documentary: