James Franklin, ‘A heterogeneous society’ Arthur Calwell’s impact on Australia

Although he came awfully close to winning the 1961 election, Arthur Calwell is generally remembered as one of the least successful Opposition Leaders of all time. He shares a distinction with H.V. Evatt in having lost three separate elections, and is often viewed as the last embodiment of old-style Labor politics before Gough Whitlam’s modernisation of the party. However, this depiction overlooks a significant contribution to the Australian nation, most notably as the first Minister for Immigration. While remaining a staunch supporter of White Australia, Calwell oversaw the inauguration of the great post war migration boom that laid the basis for our modern multicultural nation. Joining us to discuss Calwell’s life and contribution is James Franklin, co-author of a new entry in the Australian Biographical Monographs series.

Want to learn more? Read our Book of the Week entry for Calwell’s memoir Be Just and Fear Not.

James Franklin is an Honorary Professor at UNSW, and the co-author of the new Australian Biographical Monograph on Labor Leader Arthur Calwell. He is an expert in the philosophy of mathematics and Australian Catholic history. James’s previous books include Corrupting the Youth: A History of Philosophy in Australia, The Real Archbishop Mannix (with Gerry O Nolan), and Catholic Thought and Catholic Action. He is also the editor of the Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society.