Lindsay Jones discusses the leadership of the Trades Hall Group (THG) including those from the sectarian group (the Masonic Lodge), namely Jack Egerton, Tom Burton, Bob Gibbs and Neville Warburton.
Barbara Cross recalls that ALP branch people were not in factions in the early 1970s which were always the union left (Trades Hall aligned) and the right (AWU aligned). She states that reform was needed because the ALP couldn't win elections without getting the best candidates up.
Manfred Cross and Barbara Cross remember that new people joined the ALP at the time of Whitlam's campaign but many THG members didn't like educated people coming in to the ALP. Manfred Cross makes the point that Alex Macdonald when he was TLC Secretary, was very supportive on Aboriginal issues and provided money to Manfred to assist North Queensland Aboriginal people to attend ALP conferences. He recalls other unions also provided financial support, including Joe McGinnis, a watersider from Cairns.
Manfred Cross speaks about the influence of the unions on the ALP, relating that in the early days the AWU faction controlled the party including William Forgan-Smith. He remembers Ned Hanlon from the Australian Railways Union (ARU) as the first non-AWU, ALP leader. Manfred and Barbara discuss Jack Egerton.
Barbara Cross discusses her nomination seeking support to stand as an ALP Convention delegate and the poor reception she received from Trades Hall, including Jack Egerton.
Greg Moran discusses the leaders of the THG including Neal Kane and the Masonic THG members. He states that they thought of themselves as left wing but were just exclusionary, sexist, sectarian, and deep down racist individuals.
Ian Brusasco discusses the perception that he didn't fit with the Trades Hall Group's profile. He states that his views on opportunities for women were exemplified by his wife, Patsy Brusasco, who combined a very successful professional life as a pharmacist with her public voluntary work and family responsibilities.
Errol Hodder discusses the relationship between the AWU and the Trades Hall Group (THG) as they were in competition with each other, both politically and industrially.
