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- Title
THE "PLACE" OF POLITICS: CLASS AND LOCALIST POLITICS AT PORT KEMBLA, 1900-30.
- Authors
Eklund, Erik
- Abstract
An analysis of the political forms that emerged in the New South Wales town of Port Kembla over the period 1900-30. The article argues that two principal types of politics dominated the political landscape of industrializing Port Kembla. The first type was class politics, based on the industrial labor market. In the 1910's local workers formed union organizations and a local labor league, culminating in major industrial action in 1919-20. The second type of politics was localist politics, characterized by claims of local unity and development. Localist politics, best represented by the local Progress Association, clashed with class-based organizations and established ascendancy for the 1920's. Local unity and cross-class alliances were encouraged by a number of factors including the common interest in protecting town infrastructure. Toward the end of the 1920's, as industrial disputes intensified and economic conditions worsened, class politics was resurgent, ultimately overwhelming the localist coalition by the eve of the depression. Men dominated local politics, though behind the public face of these organizations women were active as fundraisers. Kooris (local aborigines) were excluded both socially and physically, with their living spaces tellingly located on the fringes of the town itself.
- Publication
Labour History, 2000, Issue 78, p94
- ISSN
0023-6942
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/27516700