From a lecture by L.L Sharkey to a National Party School in 1944, detailing the history of the Communist Party from its founding in October 30, 1920. Detailing the political struggles and growth of the labour movement in Australia and the struggle against sectarianism and reformism.

In 1944, with many Australians still fighting in WW2, the ACP created a plan for them divided into two parts. The first, introducing more democracy into the services and improving service conditions. the second, our programme for the service men and women in the post-war period.

Written in 1944, “The W.E.A. Exposed” is a convincing rebuttal to the revisionist line being distributed by the “Workers’ Educational Association” that “collectivisation has meant an accentuation of inequality of economic and political power” in the Soviet Union. Lance Sharkey uses direct quotes from Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin to expose the deceptive nature of the W.E.A.

In 1944 the federal government sought powers to ensure a more just post-war political landscape. Most service men and women had gone to war with an understanding that they wouldn’t return to pre-war conditions of poverty and lack of democratic rights. In this booklet the Party explains its support for the relevant referendum and its further plan for a socialist Australia.

This booklet contains information and an interesting dialogue between serviceman abroad serving in New Guinea. It advocates for a Yes vote for the Constitution Alteration Act, (Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights) passed by Parliament in March, 1944. The referendum was supported by both the ACP and ALP of the time which makes for timely reading!

In 1944 our farming communities were facing the very same issues that they face today, the ACP’s Agrarian Committee had a plan and policy. With monopolisation threatening the farmer’s market, to banks heavily burdening the industry with high amounts of debt.