During World War II,British Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered Australian troops to defend Britain’s colonial interests. Australian leader John Curtin had other ideas.
It’s not the Lodge,but the renovated Victorian residence is on the market for just the second time in almost a century,and has a price guide of $2.1 million to $2.3 million.
80 years ago,the Curtin government used wartime powers to enact ‘far-reaching,even revolutionary’ uniform taxation reforms,despite vehement opposition from the states.
80 years ago,PM John Curtin announced that command of all combat sections of the Australian defence force had passed to US General Douglas MacArthur. Curtin called it “a momentous day for the peoples of the United Nations”.
A newsroom discussion about the PM’s social media posts ended up with millions of dollars going to save vital records from the Bounty and of John Curtin.
The minister in charge of the National Archives says it has to deal with the disintegration of its records even as the institution warns parts of Australia’s history cannot be saved.
Historians are mystified why the government seems to treat Australia’s military history with reverence at the War Memorial but indifference in the National Archives.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has indicated an important shift in Australia’s defence posture.
The war-time speeches of John Curtin are among records that could disappear forever without a major funding boost for the National Archives.
Years of funding and staff cuts have caught up with the National Archives and it is struggling to prevent the disintegration of unique pieces of Australian history.
August 15 should be a day for reflection and gratitude.