OBJECTIVE
FIGHTING PLATFORM
GENERAL PROGRAMME
I. —Constitutional Reform—
Abolition of office of State Governor and the Legislative Council. Amendment of Elections Act.
Initiative and Referendum.
II. —Finance and Taxation Reform—
Tax on Unimproved Value of Freehold Land, with £300 Exemption, income derived from land upon which Land Tax is payable to be exempt from Income Tax.
Sinking Fund to meet Maturing Loans.
Special Taxation on Land owned and income derived by Absentees.
Public Borrowing only for Reproductive Works and for the Repayment of Maturing Loans.
Increased Probate and Succession Duties, on a Progressive scale on estates over £5000 in value, with Exemption of estates up to £1000.
State Agricultural Bank, co-operating with the Federal Authorities, with a view to extend and liberalise that principle to persons engaged in Primary and Other Industries.
III. —Land Reform—
No further Alienation of Crown Land by Freehold Tenure -existing contracts to be respected.
Fixity of Tenure—Leasehold only, with Periodic Reappraisement of Rents for all Crown Land.
Equalisation of Pastoralists and Selectors' Rents. State Resumption of Land for the erection of Workers' Dwellings.
IV. —Industrial Reform
Better provision by the State to deal with the Unemployed Problem. Extension of the principle of Workers' Accommodation.
Amended Wages Protection and Lien Act. Amendment of Workers' Compensation Act. Amendment of the Workers' Dwellings Act. Statutory Regulations of Hours of Labour, with Maximum of Eight Hours. Minimum Wage, and abolition of Contract System on Government Works. Repeal of the Industrial Peace Act, and in lieu thereof a Conciliation and Arbitration Act.
Amendment of Law relating to Trade Unions. Extension of State Department of Labour.`
Equal pay for Equal Work for Males and Females. V. -Encouragement of Agriculture—
Greater facilities for Land Settlement.
More effective Resumption of Crown Lands where necessary for purposes of closer settlement, with suitable classification.
Preference to Selectors undertaking conditions of Continuous Residence and Cultivation—providing for a proportionate remission of rent in respect of all approved cultivation.
State Export Department. State Line of Steamers. State Distribution of Seed at Cost Price.
State Freezing Works and Cold Stores and Granaries. State Flour Mills, Sugar Mills, and Refineries.
State Manufacture of Agricultural Implements.
Further Encouragement of the Co-operative Principle in Butter and Cheese Making.
State Schemes and Active Assistance for Water Conservation (artesian and otherwise), and Irrigation.
State Agency for all Farm Products, with a view to establishing Standard Prices.
VI. —National Work—
State Ownership, Construction, and Maintenance of all Railways, Tramways, Wharves.
State Ownership of Sawmills, Meatworks, Abattoirs, and Brickyards.
State Manufacture, Importation, and Sale of Intoxicating Liquor, with ultimate view of Total Prohibition, subject to Local or State Option.
State Ownership of Mineral Oil.
Systematic Re-afforestation and Timber Protection. VII. —Education—
Compulsory up to 14 years of age, higher optional; both Secular and Free in State Schools.
University, Secular and Free to all qualifying by examination. Technical Education Reform.
VIII. —Mining—
State Control of the Iron Industry. State Coal Mines.
State Crushing Batteries, Smelting, and Metallurgical Works. State Purchase of Mineral Ores and Free Assaying. Election by Miners of Check Inspectors of Mines.
Provision by the State for areas of Land to be set aside for occupation by miners suffering from phthisis so that they may have an opportunity to abandon underground employment. Periodic examination of underground workers by Government Medical Superintendent for the detection of phthisis in order that affected persons may be warned.
Amendment of the Mining Act to provide for the representation of the Union at all inquiries arising out of accidents in mines, and the findings of the experienced miners at such inquiries to be made public. The Inspectors of Mines to be open to cross-examination.
Certificated Engine Drivers only to be employed on all classes of machinery. Amended Mines Regulation Act, with provision for better inspection and ventilation of mines and allaying of dust in mines.
IX. —Social—
Better Provision for Widows and Orphans and Indigent Persons. Abolition of Capital Punishment.
Nationalisation of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions. X. -Local Government
One Adult One Vote.
No Disfranchisement for Arrears of Rates.
Election of Mayors and Chairmen of Local Government Bodies by Electors. Payment of Members of Local Government Bodies.
XI. —General—
Full Civil Rights for all State Employees. State Employees' Appeal Board.
Strict Regulation of Immigration.
Law Reform, including the appointment of Public Defenders, the establishment of Coroners' Courts—with a jury—who shall give a verdict on the evidence.
Public Trust Offices.
State Regulation of Rents and Profits. Fair Rent Courts.
Regulation of Shipping Freights and Fares.
Simplification of the method of Transfer of Real and Personal Estate at Death. Amendment of Masters and Servants' Act.
Adopted at Brisbane, February 1913, followed for the 1915 election. Official Record of the Seventh Labour-in-Politics Convention, Brisbane, 1913. Reprinted in David Lovell, Marxism and Australian Socialism before the Bolshevik Revolution, pp.278-280