Lang Labor - Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist) and Expulsion

Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist) and Expulsion

In the meantime, left-wing forces had gained control of the extra-parliamentary executive of the New South Wales Branch, and in 1940 the state executive adopted a resolution calling for a "Hands off Russia" policy, which was seen as a policy opposing Australian involvement in World War II. Lang (who for all his radicalism had always hated communism) denounced this policy. He seceded from Labor, along with several supporters, and formed a new party called the Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist), which operated in the Federal sphere from 1940 to 1941 but had only minority support in the Labor movement of NSW. The Federal Executive again intervened in the NSW Branch, and the left-wing elements were expelled from the Labor party with some members joining the Communist Party of Australia but most joining the short-lived State Labor Party which was also known as the State Labor Party (Hughes-Evans). Following the Federal intervention nearly all members of Lang's movement rejoined the ALP. Lang's own reconciliation with the ALP proved short-lived. In 1943, having published newspaper articles attacking McKell (NSW's Premier since 1941) and the Prime Minister John Curtin, he was expelled from the ALP and re-started the Australian Labor Party (Non-Communist). This manifestation of Lang Labor contested the 1944 NSW election, electing two members – Lang and Lilian Fowler, Australia's first female mayor. When Lang transferred to federal politics, he was succeeded as the Lang Labor member for Auburn by his son, James. Although Fowler and James Lang were both re-elected in 1947, the party was essentially defunct by 1950, and Fowler and Lang were defeated.