John McDonald

Sir John Gladstone Black McDonald (6 December 1898 – 23 April 1977) was an Australian politician who served as the 37th Premier of Victoria, leading a Country Party government from 1950 to 1952. McDonald first attained high office as a minister in the wartime coalition governments led by Albert Dunstan and Thomas Hollway. McDonald became leader of the Country Party and Leader of the Opposition in 1945. Following the 1947 election, he became Deputy Premier in a coalition government led by Hollway, who was the leader of the Liberal Party and served as Acting Premier for much of the term. His tenure as Deputy Premier under Hollway ended in 1948 when the Country Party withdrew from the coalition, accusing the premier of betrayal over the handling of a tramway strike, returning McDonald to the position of Opposition leader.

McDonald first attained the premiership in June 1950 through an agreement between his Country Party and the Australian Labor Party that allowed him to form a minority government. His tenure saw the extension of the adult franchise to the Legislative Council and the establishment of the Mental Hygiene Authority. However, his government was marked by political instability, including open conflict with the federal Liberal government over loan funds and a precarious alliance with Labor, which fractured over the issue of rural electoral weighting. After surviving a no-confidence motion, his government fell in October 1952 when Labor blocked supply in the upper house.

Following a brief and unsuccessful premiership by Hollway, lasting just four days, McDonald was recommissioned as premier and secured a dissolution of parliament. He led the Country Party to the ensuing December 1952 election but was defeated by Labor under John Cain, which won its first majority government in the state. McDonald remained in parliament until 1955, when an electoral redistribution abolished his seat. Knighted in 1957, he spent his later years involved in agricultural and business interests, notably as chairman of the Shepparton Preserving Co. (SPC), from 1965 until 1970.

A staunch anti-communist, he frequently attacked the Cain government for its alleged tolerance of Communist influence in trade unions and its banking policies. As Deputy Premier, he threatened to withdraw the Country Party from the coalition unless the government dealt effectively with Communists and proposed legislation to strip Communists of the right to hold office in trade unions and other organisations. He consistently took a hard line against industrial action and opposed making concessions to striking workers.

Early life McDonald was born on 6 December 1898 in Falkirk, Scotland, second child of Donald Macdonald, a grocer, and Ann Elizabeth Henry.

On 4 March 1916, McDonald (who was 17 at the time) lied about his age and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during World War I, in which he served with the 37th Battalion on the Western Front. While on the Western Front, he was so seriously wounded that he had a lung removed, something he kept a secret throughout his political career. He returned to Shepparton where he and his brother established an orchard. He was elected as president of the Shepparton Irrigators Association in 1922. On 10 December 1932, he married Mary Cosser Trotter, a 24-year-old schoolteacher, at the Presbyterian Church in Ashfield, Sydney.

Early parliamentary career (1936–1945) The 1936 Goulburn Valley state by-election was held following the appointment of member for Goulburn Valley Murray Bourchier as Agent-General for Victoria in London. McDonald was elected with 50.6% of the primary vote against three other United Country Party (UCP) members. In it, he strongly endorsed the United Country Party government of Premier Albert Dunstan, describing it as "the best this State has had for many years," and praised its record on primary industry, irrigation, forestry, and infrastructure development. There were four other candidates for the position: Hamilton Lamb, Roy Paton, Albert Allnutt and Finlay Cameron. McDonald was elected in the final round of voting with 15 votes to 13 against Lamb.

Leader of the Opposition (1945–1947) Dunstan resigned as leader of the UCP following the 1945 Victorian state election due to significant gains made by the Labor Party with John Cain forming a minority government. McDonald was elected leader of the UCP on 22 November 1945. This made McDonald the Leader of the Opposition.

In January 1946, McDonald criticised the Cain government's agreement to contribute to a national railway gauge standardisation scheme. He expressed amazement that Victoria had committed to paying £31 million towards the project when the cost of conversion within the state was only £22 million, arguing that the remaining £9 million would effectively subsidise other states.

In July 1946, he accused the government of avoiding parliamentary scrutiny, stating: "Nobody was surprised that the spineless Cain Labour Government had refused an early session of Parliament." McDonald argued that Cain was using the national coal shortage as a pretext to remain in recess, and asserted that practical solutions to the state's problems could be advanced if Parliament were recalled. He argued that the government, as the employer of public instrumentalities, had a "commanding duty" to express its opinion of the strikes and outline its intended course of action. He claimed wheat harvesting was being delayed because machinery remained held up in factories, and accused the government of allowing union leader John Brown to dictate railway policy. He warned that Communist-led unions would become "real rulers" while Parliament was in recess, and that "thousands of Britons and Europeans would be deprived of food because Communists would not let it be harvested." When McDonald interjected, McKenzie retorted: "I wonder if this child would be quiet if you gave it a doll." He argued that all-night sittings had been used to pass measures that could have been delayed until the next session.

As a transport dispute escalated in April 1947, McDonald called on Cain to proclaim a state of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act or resign. Describing the situation as "intolerable", he argued that despite Cain's assurances to Parliament, a state of emergency would exist in Victoria after Monday, and that the government was either unwilling or unable to take action. The Country Party's general secretary welcomed Hollway's attack, arguing it revealed why non-Labor forces had failed to stop Labor legislation. He argued that the proposed powers would enable the government to "enslave and strangle private enterprise in every shape and form" and gain control over "the private and commercial lives of people." The campaign was dominated by federal issues, particularly the bank nationalisation proposal, and opposition parties framed the state election as a referendum on the policy. McDonald interpreted the outcome—a landslide defeat for the Labor government of John Cain—as confirmation that "socialism is out for good in Victoria." The Country Party won 20 seats at the election, an increase of two, winning the seats of Gippsland North, Mildura, Portland and Wonthaggi from Labor, while losing Mernda and Mornington to the Liberal Party. Hollway's Liberal Party won 27 seats while Labor only won 17.

Deputy premier (1947–1948)

The Country Party reluctantly joined Hollway in a coalition government. Following the election defeat of the Cain government, the Governor, Sir Winston Dugan, commissioned Hollway to form a new government. Hollway invited McDonald to join a composite Liberal-Country Party ministry, an offer McDonald accepted subject to ratification by his party's central executive. The council resolved that in view of the extraordinary conditions prevailing in the state, "stable government should be restored and the fight against socialism and communism fully maintained." An initial cabinet list submitted by Hollway was rejected by McDonald and his colleagues, who complained that the Liberals had reserved most senior portfolios for themselves and were using pressure tactics due to their larger numbers in the new parliament. McDonald took a hard line, explaining that the government had met the demands of railwaymen because "the railwaymen are working, the tramwaymen are on strike."

As Minister of Lands and Water Supply, McDonald toured regional Victoria inspecting infrastructure and addressing local concerns, including a visit to the Kooweerup district in February 1948 to discuss blackberry eradication with shire councils and local residents.

Tensions within the coalition surfaced as early as April 1948, when McDonald threatened that the Country Party might withdraw from the composite government unless the administration dealt "effectively with Communists." Hollway responded that he was "at a loss to understand" McDonald's outburst and offered to discuss a "change of Government" if McDonald believed Victoria could be "better served" by an alternative arrangement. At a Country Party rally in May 1948, McDonald outlined his government's plans to introduce severe legislation to control Communists. He claimed that Communist disruption of industry was frustrating production and that the Chifley government was "afraid to deal" with them. He questioned whether they sought statutory powers that would eliminate State parliaments and shire councils, or whether they would be content as "glorified welfare associations passing pious resolutions." McDonald assumed the role of Acting Premier, a position he held throughout July while Hollway recovered. Hollway returned to Melbourne on 4 August, declaring himself "100 per cent better", and resumed his duties in time to present the Budget on 10 August.

As Acting Premier in July 1948, McDonald opposed a proposal by Liberal member Hugh MacLeod to ban the serving of liquor to Aboriginal people of mixed descent. McDonald stated that he doubted such legislation could be effective and that he opposed "interference with the liberties of people with Aboriginal blood." Later that month, McDonald led the Victorian delegation to the Premiers' Conference in Canberra while Hollway prepared for his overseas trip. A heated exchange later broke out when New South Wales Labor Premier Jim McGirr challenged Victoria's right to import coal from England while still receiving NSW coal. When federal minister H. V. Evatt accused Victoria of wanting NSW coal without sharing its overseas supplies, McDonald retorted: "I will share the coal with you if you will share the price." Later that month, McDonald accused the Shop Assistants' Federation of attempting to "spike every effort" to restore home deliveries, after the union opposed the use of junior workers for the task. He stated that "provided it did not interfere with schooling, I can see no harm in healthy lads helping with deliveries." McDonald subsequently met with retail traders, acknowledging that home deliveries were "costly and difficult to maintain" but urging them to restore services, stating that "somebody had to start somewhere to restore the idea of service to the community."

In October 1948, McDonald addressed a congregation at Wesley Church, arguing that Australia's reliance on war-ravaged Britain for manufactured goods was "ludicrous and humiliating" and an admission that Australians were becoming "a decrepit, lazy and irresponsible band of people." He blamed "artificial prosperity" for a spirit of "levity and indifference" and warned that shortages were "mostly the result of indolence and sloth." The Act made strikes in essential services illegal unless approved beforehand by a secret ballot of union members, with union officials facing fines of up to £1000 and participating workers up to £50. Cabinet was divided, with a section favouring the use of the full rights of the Act against those who had called the strike. On the same day, the State Cabinet held day-long conferences before deciding to prosecute members of the state executives of the ARU and the TEA for authorising the 24-hour strike without holding the secret ballot required under the Essential Services Act. About 30 executive members faced prosecution, with summonses to be issued after 72 hours. The terms were: the Seamen's Union would lift its coal blockade; the rail and tramways unions would submit any future dispute likely to cause industrial trouble to the Trades Hall Council for consideration, with the government to have an opportunity to seek a settlement; and the government would agree to adjourn the pending prosecutions under the Essential Services Act. They also criticised his ultimatum to Country Party ministers that "if you don't want to agree to my settlement terms, you can leave the Ministry." In a letter to McDonald, Hollway described Dunstan as "an intriguer, a disruptive force and an embarrassment to the Party ever since it was formed." McDonald revealed that Hollway had written asking him to join the new Cabinet, but he found the offer "offensive" and declared that unless Hollway withdrew his "offensive remarks," no Country Party member would have anything to do with the new ministry. An interim ministry of six Liberal ministers was sworn in, with Hollway himself taking over McDonald's portfolios of Water Supply and Soldier Settlement. Some Liberals believed they could persuade at least five Country Party members to cross the floor, naming several former ministers as potential defectors. A deputation led by McDonald told Hollway that the party was willing to join a coalition if permitted to select its own ministers according to party rules. The Crown Solicitor and the solicitors for the defendants had agreed that the cases should be struck out, and no counsel appeared.

On 8 December, McDonald addressed the Legislative Assembly, describing Hollway as a "prince of intriguers" and a "king of disruptionists." He claimed that Hollway had told him "to go to hell" after refusing to agree to settlement terms that were not to be disclosed. McDonald described the remarks as "deliberate lies" and threatened to reveal the true facts of what had occurred in cabinet if Hollway repeated them. Both leaders indicated they would refuse to serve in a coalition led by the other, and a reunion between the two parties appeared increasingly remote.

In late February, Hollway defended his handling of the strike settlement, claiming that the Essential Services Act had been proclaimed "after the strikes were over" and that he had discussed with union leaders how to settle "on an equitable and fair basis." He repeated his claim that his Country Party colleagues had left his office "to go to the races" while he negotiated, adding that they returned "in a pretty snaky sort of a mood." Hollway argued that the Country Party had been unable to "sink its identity and fight a common cause," and framed the political divide as a choice between a "Russian system" and the "British system of Parliamentary government." Four Country Party MPs resigned to join the new party. He demanded that Hollway introduce a bill to strip Communists of the right to hold office in "any organisation, political, business or sporting," and argued that the Communist Party should be declared illegal so that police could "find them" rather than having them "walking around disguised as decent citizens." Cain confirmed that Labor would support Country Party candidates in the upcoming Legislative Council elections, citing McDonald's proposal to extend the franchise as a reason for cooperation. The prospect of a Labor-Country Party alliance drew fierce criticism from Hollway, who called it a "complete repudiation" of everything McDonald had said against Communism and socialism. Hollway claimed there was "no doubt" that a pact existed between the two parties and described it as "party manoeuvring of the lowest order," adding that McDonald could not "run with the hare and hunt with the hounds." Despite the attacks from Hollway, McDonald insisted that the Country Party's attitude towards socialism remained unchanged. Some members believed that accepting Labor support to defeat the Liberals had been the "undoing" of the party in country electorates, with former CP supporters voting Liberal fearing "further socialistic measures." An editorial in the same week observed that the campaign had been dominated by "intense personal animosities roused by the split in the Hollway-McDonald Cabinet" rather than policy issues.

By mid-1949, pressure was mounting within the Country Party to leave the opposition benches, with some members believing the party was losing ground by remaining in opposition, especially after the result of the Legislative Council election. However, the personal bitterness between McDonald and Hollway was by now so deep that there was "no chance of reconciliation," and the Country Party seemed likely to remain politically isolated. McDonald stated that "We will remain where we are. That's definite." Cain attacked the proposal as "the most fantastic ever made" by the Hollway Government, warning that Wonthaggi would become a "ghost town." McDonald sided with Cain, stating that Labor's attack on the Government was "justified" and that it was "ridiculous to close Wonthaggi while it was still capable of producing coal."

In September 1949, McDonald rejected any suggestion of an alliance with other parties, declaring that the Country Party "refuses to be merely the appendage of any other party" and had "no arrangements or alliances or understandings with any other political party whatsoever." He blamed the parliamentary deadlock, in which Hollway's minority government struggled to pass legislation without Country Party support, on the Premier's "incapacity," claiming that Hollway had "split the non-Labor forces" the previous November and was now trying to divide the Country Party rather than "concentrating on governing Victoria." McDonald moved an amendment that "supply not be granted beyond March." The bill eventually passed shortly after 5 a.m. on the morning of 16 November. McDonald and Cain were both critical of the manner in which the bill passed, with McDonald declaring that "The Premier can only have one reason for his action, and that is he does not want to face the people in an election."

There were once again rumors in December that the Country Party would quit opposition and join the government when Parliament was to resume in April of the next year. The Sunraysia Daily reported that deputy leader Keith Dodgshun would be expected to lead the push to get the party out of opposition, and that McDonald and Dunstan would "warmly oppose any change in the party's role."

McDonald was involved in a car accident on the Goulburn Valley Highway near Katunga on 5 January 1950. McDonald was in the car with Leonard Green who was interested in buying a property from McDonald. Green was driving. Both occupants were injured, with McDonald suffering from a lacerated head and knee, as well as many bruises. While recovering in Mooroopna Hospital, McDonald told a reporter that his beard – grown because he had been unable to shave – was causing him "more concern than the exigencies of politics." He said his wife disliked it and it "scares our three children." Fulton stated on the night of 22 February that he had written to McDonald asking him to immediately call a party meeting to decide the party's role in Parliament.

In his first major public statement since the car accident on 3 March 1950, McDonald demanded an immediate state election, arguing that the people should be given the right to end Hollway's "useless and unworkable" administration. He said the Government had "rightly earned the contempt of the people of Victoria". A motion to leave the opposition benches was withdrawn, and the conference carried a motion that all such resolutions be withdrawn by a "comfortable majority."

1950 State election On 12 April 1950, Hollway requested a dissolution of the Legislative Assembly from the Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks, after both McDonald and Cain informed the Governor that they could not form a government. Brooks granted the dissolution, and Hollway announced that the election would be held on 13 May 1950. He claimed that the Liberals wanted to "exterminate" the Country Party and that they had "pushed us out of the Ministry" in 1948. McDonald promised to increase housing advances from £1540 to £1760 and reduce interest rates to two per cent, declaring that home ownership was "the one sure counter to Communism."

Campaigning in Castlemaine on 6 May, McDonald escalated his attacks, declaring that legislation passed during the last session showed that the Hollway Government was "socialistic."

The election was held on 13 May 1950. The Labor Party won 24 seats, the Liberal and Country Party 27 seats, and the Country Party 13 seats – a loss of three seats from its previous total of 16. No party had an absolute majority. Hollway declared that he would attempt to form a minority government depending on Country Party support, but contemporary observers noted that a coalition was "highly improbable" because of the "long-standing bitterness" between the parties. The Country Party had pledged before the election not to form government with the Liberals, and Labor now replaced the Country Party as the official Opposition. McDonald spoke for only six and a half minutes before the dinner adjournment. McDonald said during the parliamentary debate that the Government had made the two-party system the main election issue, but the electors had refused to give it the mandate it sought, and the Government had returned with a reduced number of members and could not provide stable government. Later, closing the debate, he declared that he had never misled the electors, insisting that he had always told voters the Country Party would accept support from any party willing to help it enact its policy. In response, Hollway once again advised Brooks to dissolve the Assembly on the grounds that the agreement was a "gross fraud [that was] perpetrated on the electors", although Hollway himself knew that this argument was weak on constitutional grounds. When the Legislative Assembly met the following day, he announced that his government would immediately seek two months' supply and introduce legislation to increase superannuation payments to public servants by 25 per cent. The Speaker ruled that Hollway could not move the motion without leave, which McDonald refused. Outside the House, he offered the Labor Party limited support in exchange for legislation to redistribute electoral seats, an offer Cain flatly rejected, stating that "judging by Mr. Hollway's past record, such a promise is not worth the paper it is written on." McDonald responded: "Apparently, what was wrong for the Country Party to do last week is now right for the L.C.P. to do this week." The House then adjourned for a month to allow the new government to prepare its legislative programme.