Parliamentary papers, 1891-1915

Component identifier:

Series 3

Content Summary:

Fisher's career in federal politics was extremely successful. He was elected to the first federal parliament in 1901, was a minister in the Watson Government of 1904, party leader in 1907, and later Prime Minister three times. His activities as Labor Party leader, chief adviser to the Governors-General Lord Denman and Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson and as Australia's representative at a number of ceremonies and meetings overseas can be traced in the series' correspondence, telegrams, manuscript notes from cabinet meetings, notes, speeches, departmental minutes, and parliamentary bills and papers. For example, there is correspondence and notes on Joseph Cook's request for a double dissolution in June 1914, and a copy of Fisher's letter of resignation to Lord Denman. The papers cover much of the social legislation introduced in 1910-1913, the two referenda of 1911 and 1913, and administrative matters following the transfer to theCommonwealth of the Northern Territory in 1911. Other topics are covered in the following three series.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library in several instalments by Fisher's family between 1961 and 1990.

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