Queensland Labour

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 6

Queensland Labour

(N.Z. Press Association Copyright) BRISBANE, April 27 A breakaway Labour Party was formed at Brisbane last night by the Queensland Premier (Mr Vincent Gair), who was expelled from the Labour Party on Wednesday. No name has yet been chosen for the new party, but observers believe it may be the Queensland Labour Party. The second Labour Party consists so far of Mr Gair and 20 members of the caucus who have joined him in defiance of the official party’s Queensland Central Executive, and one former member of the Australian Labour Party who is under expulsion. Four other members of Parliament are expected to join, including the State Treasurer (Mr E. Walsh), who has declared his support. The new party will still be the major group in the House. The state of the other parties is likely to be: Official Labour 21. Country Party 16, Liberals 8, Independents 4. Mr Gair has said that his party would continue to give effect to Labour policy identical with that of the past. Mr Gair has announced the prorogation of Parliament until June 11, but has given no hint that it will meet on that date.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive of the Australian Labour Party has decided against intervention.