'It has been nearly fifty years since a biography of Arthur Calwell, Labor federal member from 1940 to 1972, Minister for Immigration and later leader of the Opposition. His massive immigration program in the immediate postwar period began the transformation of Australia into a multicultural nation. Calwell served under the best (Chifley) and possibly the most difficult (Evatt) of the Labor leaders, and remained loyal to the Labor cause when it split in the mid 1950s when its future looked bleak. Yet, after becoming leader in 1960 he almost defeated then Prime Minister Menzies at the 1961 election and did much to restore Labor's faith in itself as well as to renew policy for the nation. However, two subsequent election defeats in 1963 and 1966 meant Calwell had to make way for the younger Gough Whitlam in 1967. He retired at the 1972 election which saw Labor finally back in office. So, this is a story of conviction, belief and persistence through the long period of 23 years in the political wilderness'
(Publication summary)
