Four More Points than Moses

While commentators have frequently referred to the complexities of Evatfs personality and the inconsistencies seemingly inherent in his policies,3 it has only recently been recognised that Evatfs views on, and relationship with, the media constitute a common, complex and not always subtle thread throughout his life. Peter Crocketf s observations about Evatt and the press are, however, fleeting, and related to the author's perverse psycho biographical theories.4 Dr. Evatt is perhaps best remembered for his activities as Minister for External Affairs from 1941 to 1949 and for his leadership of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) during the turbulent 1950s. At the time of the 1954 Royal Commission into Espionage and the sensational ALP Split of 1955, Evatt was subjected to relentless ridicule and criticism by the Australian press. Even a cursory glance at the editorials and cartoons of the day engender an image of a shambling wreck of a man, a desperate, paranoid and dangerous communist sympathiser who was leading his Party, and his country, into the wilderness.5 And yet, in 1940, Evatfs decision to resign from the High Court Bench to successfully contest the seat of Barton had been met with almost universal acclaim; newspapers had portrayed him as a martyr-like figure relinquishing a brilliant judicial career in order to serve his country at a critical time in her history.6

Political science · Politics · Referendum · Australian History and Society · Commonwealth, Australian Politics and Federalism · Law · Media Studies and Communication

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