The Australian Fabians was established in 1947. The organisation aims to "contribute to progressive political thinking" as well as "progressive political culture". The Australian Fabians have historically had close ties with the Australian Labor Party. This is evidenced by the number of past ALP prime ministers, federal ministers and state premiers who were active members of the Australian Fabians while in office. The role of patron of the Australian Fabians is held by media and social commentator and feminist Eva Cox but was previously filled by former Australian prime minister, the late Gough Whitlam. The Australian Fabians have had a significant influence on public policy development in Australia since the Second World War, with many of its members having held influential political offices in Australian governments.
History
An earlier experiment with Fabianism in Australia was initiated in Adelaide in 1891 by the RevCharles Marson, who had joined the Fabians in London in 1885 and drew in trade unionists like David Charleston, Robert Guthrie and John McPherson as well as social reformers like James & Lucy Morice into the first overseas branch of the UKFabian Society. The Australian members retained their membership for ten years until the Adelaide branch was wound up in 1902. During the 1960s, the Victorian branch was closely aligned with the Participants grouping within the Victorian Labor Party, "who became the centre of organised support for Whitlam and opposition to the hard-left dominated Victorian Central Executive". The Victorian Labor Party at the time was run by the historic left grouping, while Whitlam and other states were involved with the historic right grouping.
Australian Fabians promote the common good and foster the advance of social democracy in Australia through reasoned debate by: a) Contributing to progressive political thinking by generating ideas that reflect a level of thinking that meets the challenges of the times.
b) Contributing to a progressive political culture by disseminating these ideas and getting them into the public domain.
c) Creating an active movement of people who identify with, are engaged in and who encourage progressive political debate and reform, and
d) Influencing the ideas and policies of political parties, especially the Australian Labor Party.
