Lindsay Jones

Interviewed by
Sue Yarrow
Apr 30 2013
Lindsay Jones
Time Summary Keywords
00:00:00

Sue Yarrow introduces Lindsay Jones, outlining his early history and his involvement in the ALP.

00:02:06

Lindsay Jones recalls joining  the ALP in 1959 while living in South Brisbane, where there were still shadows of the conflict among ALP members after the split of 1957. He claims that the political climate in many universities and Colleges of Advanced Education was conducive to political activism and recalls the old Speakers Forum outside Hubbard's Academy.

Vincent Gair
00:04:50

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.

Bob Gibbs, Jack Egerton, Masons, Neville Warburton, Tom Burton, Trades Hall Group
00:06:51

Lindsay Jones remembers the sectarianism and power struggles in the ALP and discusses Jim Keefe, Bart Lourigan, Neal Kane and Jack Egerton.

Jack Egerton, Jim Keeffe, Neal Kane, sectarianism
00:09:34

Lindsay Jones reflects on being in opposition to the Bjelke-Petersen government, participating in the anti-Springbok demonstrations in Toowoomba, the right to march, the anti-uranium movement, and remembers supporting land rights at the second ALP Conference in the 1960s when others were not interested.

Bjelke-Petersen Government 1968-87, Communist Party, land rights, protest, racism, Springboks Rugby tour 1971, Toowoomba, uranium mining, Vietnam War
00:13:36

Lindsay Jones reflects on the very conservative people in the ALP in Toowoomba and the ongoing republican argument.

Gough Whitlam, republic, Toowoomba
00:17:56

Lindsay Jones discusses the ALP and DLP split of 1957 and the loss of ALP assets and property. 

AWU, Dalby, Les Diplock
00:22:00

Lindsay Jones discusses the ALP Queensland Branch's response to the Whitlam Government and recalls Egerton's opposition to Medibank because Queensland had free hospitals. 

Bill Hayden, health, Jack Egerton, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Whitlam Government 1972-75
00:24:03

Lindsay Jones considers that the unrest in the ALP was caused by their failure to win state government. He considers that the 4KQ radio licence raised money for the ALP but they couldn't match Bjelke-Petersen's funding from the mining industries.

4KQ, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Ned Hanlon, Tom Burns
00:27:42

Lindsay Jones discusses Tom Burns' push for new ALP talent in parliament and the methodology used in ALP plebiscites. 

AWU, Tom Burns
00:30:17

Lindsay Jones recalls attending the first meeting of the ALP reformers in 1978 with his wife Norma Jones. 

Mickey Spillall, Norma Jones, Toowoomba
00:32:36

Lindsay Jones discusses key ALP reformers including Senators George Georges and Jim Keeffe, Mike Reynolds, Pat Comben, Peter Beattie, Denis Murphy, Joy Ardill and Wilf Ardill. He discusses the attitude of the Old Guard unions to Clem Jones and Ian Brusasco. 

Clem Jones, Denis Murphy, George Georges, Ian Brusasco, Jim Keeffe, Joy Ardill, Mike Reynolds, Pat Comben, Peter Beattie, Wilf Ardill
00:35:09

Lindsay Jones discusses the agendas of the ALP reformers and women's participation in Labor conferences.

affirmative action, women
00:37:45

Lindsay Jones discusses the significance of the Toowoomba branch activity in the moves for ALP reform. 

George Georges, Norma Jones, Toowoomba
00:39:15

Lindsay Jones discusses seeking endorsement for the seat of Toowoomba North in a contest with Peter Wood. 

Manfred Cross, Peter Wood, Toowoomba
00:41:25

Lindsay Jones discusses the significance of federal intervention by the ALP and the leadership aspirations of Bill Hayden. 

Bill Hayden
00:42:33

Lindsay Jones discusses the attempts by Toowoomba ALP branch member Frank Moore to charge Norma Jones with disloyalty because she was publicly attacking Ed Casey on the issue of abortion. 

abortion, Ed Casey, Nic Bos, Norma Jones, Peter Wood
00:46:32

Lindsay Jones discusses Nic Bos's report on the Toowoomba ALP branches and the allegation that they were overrun by the Socialist Left. 

Nic Bos, Toowoomba
00:47:29

Lindsay Jones discusses the response by the Toowoomba ALP reformers and the fears of other state branches, particularly the Western Australian delegates, if they supported intervention in Queensland.

Toowoomba
00:48:26

Lindsay Jones discusses the meetings of the ALP Socialist Left. 

AMIEU, Bill Hayden, BWIU, Joe Harris, Miscellaneous Workers Union, Peter Beattie
00:50:47

Lindsay Jones outlines the early emergence of factions in the ALP.

AWU, factions, Ian McLean, Railway Union, Townsville
00:53:56

Lindsay Jones discusses the affiliation of the AWU.

AWU, Cecil Williams, Jack Egerton
00:56:30

Lindsay Jones discusses the mentality that regarded union and party as one and the same, and discusses the contest over the Brisbane federal seat of Griffith. 

Ben Humphries, Clem Jones, Denis Murphy, Jack Egerton
00:59:11

Lindsay Jones discusses the influence of the Masonic Lodge in the ALP.

Bob Gibbs, Jack Houston, Masons, Tom Burns, Tom Burton
01:01:25

Lindsay Jones reflects on the candidates after reform including Paul Braddy, David Hamill and Anne Warner.

Anne Warner, David Hamill, Paul Braddy
01:06:10

Lindsay Jones discusses the causes and results of the ALP intervention.

affirmative action
01:10:00

Lindsay Jones speaks about the alliance between the ALP Socialist Left and the AWU in mid-1986.

AWU, David Barbagallo, Errol Hodder, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Joy Ardill, Norma Jones, Peter Beattie, Terry Hampson
01:14:20

Lindsay Jones recalls working as part of the ALP office team leading to the 1989 election, particularly the focus on winning the women's vote and working with extra parliamentary organisations such as the Wilderness Society.

1989 election, campaign strategy, Wilderness Society, women
01:17:51

Lindsay Jones reflects on the longevity of the ALP's electoral win in 1989.

01:20:21

Lindsay Jones discusses the implications of the re-affiliation of the AWU with the ALP.

AWU
01:22:32

Lindsay Jones reflects on the lessons from ALP intervention in 1980 and the role of marginal seats.

campaign strategy
01:25:48

Lindsay Jones discusses the role of factions in the ALP.

Bob Hawke, factions
01:28:09

Lindsay Jones reflects on the changes within the ALP and Australia.

01:32:28

Interview ends