The early Cold War years in Australia were characterised by attempts to suppress political dissent including the banning of the Communist Party. Here we see the experience from the perspective of those who defended democratic freedoms. This is a critical look at the Australian political scene from the end of World War II to the commencement of hostilities in Korea. Emphasis is placed on the events surrounding the Communist party Dissolution Bill, the High Court judgement declaring the Act invalid and the 1951 referendum defeat in which Prime Minister Menzies unsuccessfully asked the Australian people to change the constitution and make the Communist Part Dissolution Bill law.
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
38624
Language
English
Subject categories
Documentary
Documentary → Documentary films - Australia
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Australia - Politics and government
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Communism
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Communism - Australia
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Fascism
Feature films
Feature films → Feature films - Australia
History → Communism - Australia
History → Menzies, Robert, Sir, 1894-1978
People → Menzies, Robert, Sir, 1894-1978
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)