Guide to the Papers of A. J. Forbes
MS 9875
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Alexander James Forbes, Dr
- Title
- Papers of A. J. Forbes
- Date Range
- 1942 - 1993
- Collection Number
- MS 9875
- Extent
- 7.2 metres (47 MS Boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The papers consist of memoranda, circulars, minutes, agenda, correspondence, speeches, drafts, articles, published materials and diaries.
The bulk of the papers relate to Forbes' roles as State President and later Federal President of the Liberal Party. There are memoranda, circulars, minutes and agenda of the many committees on which Forbes sat, as well as related correspondence from Tony Eggleton, John Atwill, Malcolm Fraser, John Elliott, John Howard, Andrew Peacock, Nick Minchin, Graham Wynn, Grahame Morris, John Valder, Chris Puplick, Sir Robert Crichton-Brown, Fred Chaney, John Olsen, Roger Goldsworthy, C. R. Story, Don Jessop, Don Willett, Ralph de Garis, Steele Hall and Amanda Vanstone.
There are some papers relating to Forbes' parliamentary career and a lesser number relating to his Ministerial positions. Correspondents include Malcolm Fraser, William McMahon, Billy Snedden and John Gorton.
There are also some papers relating to his terms as Chairman of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission and Chairman of the National Library of Australia Council.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn298340).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of A. J. Forbes, National Library of Australia, MS 9875, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were transferred from the Adelaide repository of the National Archives of Australia at the request of Dr Forbes, and received by the National Library in 2002
Related Materials
An interview with Forbes, recorded by Mel Pratt on 14 March 1978, is held in the Oral History Section (ORAL TRC 121/94)
Papers relating to Forbes' parliamentary and ministerial career are held by the National Archives of Australia
Arrangement
The papers have been largely kept in the order in which they were received. The numbers assigned to some papers by the National Archives of Australia appear to refer to an earlier document listing. This numerical order has not been maintained
Biographical Note
Alexander James de Burgh Forbes was born in Hobart on the 16 December 1923, the son of Brigadier A.M. Forbes. He was educated at Knox Grammar School and St. Peters College in Adelaide and gained a BA (Hons) from the University of Adelaide in 1950 and a Ph.D from Oxford University in 1954.
Forbes graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1942 and saw active service in New Guinea and Bougainville, during which he was awarded the Military Cross.
Between 1954 and 1956 Forbes lectured in Political Science at the University of Adelaide, before entering Parliament as the Federal member for the South Australian seat of Barker. He held the seat from 1956 until 1975, when he chose not to stand for re-election.
During his parliamentary tenure Forbes was Minister for the Navy (1963), Minister for the Army and assisting the Treasury (1963-1966) Minister for Health (1966-1971) and Minister for Immigration (1971-1972).
Forbes was State President of the Liberal Party of Australia South Australian division in 1979-1982 and Federal President of the Liberal Party in 1982-1985.
He was Chairman of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in 1978-1984 and also served on the National Library of Australia Council from 1979 until 1985 and as Council Chairman in 1982-1985.
In 1978, Forbes was appointed as Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for distinguished parliamentary service.
Forbes married Margaret Blackburn in 1952 and they had five children.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Personal and political documents, 1951-1984
Family, financial and personal documents and correspondence, 1942-1975 (File 1) - Box 1
Includes passports and Army pay book
Correspondence, 1960 (File 2) - Box 1
Correspondence offering condolences, and Forbes' replies, relating to a fire which took place at Forbes' home on New Years Eve 1959
Correspondence, 1961 (File 3) - Box 1
Correspondence with Kathleen Bermingham, a constituent and publisher of a local history for which Forbes wrote an introduction
Personal correspondence, writings and invitations, 1971-1985 (File 4) - Box 1
Includes articles, notes and drafts by Forbes. Correspondents include John Gorton, John Howard, Malcolm Fraser and Neal Blewett
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1978 (File 8) - Box 2
Correspondence and programs
Series 2. Member of Parliament, 1956-1975
In 1956 Forbes won the seat of Barker in the House of Representatives as a Liberal candidate and held it until his retirement in 1975. The series contains correspondence, speeches, newspaper clippings, memoranda and administrative papers.
Correspondence, 1956-1975 (File 1) - Box 3
Correspondence from constituents and colleagues. Correspondents include Billy Snedden, Don Chipp, Malcolm Fraser and Harold Holt
Newspaper clippings, memoranda, correspondence, reports, election material, invitations and publications gathered by Forbes during his terms as the Member for Barker, 1956-1975 (File 5_8) - Box 4
Speeches, 1968-1969 (File 9) - Box 5
Copies of two speeches given to Lions Clubs. Includes copy of a speech given in South Australia by Lord Hailsham, 1978
Correspondence and reports, 1972-1973 (File 10) - Box 5
Includes parliamentary questions tabled by Forbes whilst he was ShadowMinister for Defence
Parliamentary Committee on Defence, 1972-1973 (File 11) - Box 5
Correspondence, notes, minutes and memoranda
Liberal and Country League, 1972-1974 (File 12) - Box 5
Correspondence, reports, reviews and constitution
Transcripts and correspondence, 1973 (File 13) - Box 5
Transcripts of conversations held in Indonesia and Singapore between Forbes and Dr Goh Keng Swee, Major General Sayidiman, Dr Panglaykim, Dr Harry Tjan, Lt. General Sutopo Juwono and Adam Malik
Correspondence and clippings relating to an allegation made in Parliament in November 1973 by Gough Whitlam that Forbes was inebriated, 1973 (File 14) - Box 5
19th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, London, September 1973 (File 15) - Box 5
Program, invitations, correspondence and itinerary
Australian Constitutional Convention. Standing Committee 'D', 1973-1974 (File 16_17) - Box 6
Agendas, correspondence, reports and legal opinion
Defence policy, 1973-1974 (File 18_19) - Box 6
Press statements, correspondence, speeches, articles, copies of Hansard, copies of the Pacific defence reporter, Oct. 1974
Questions on notice, 1973-1974 (File 20) - Box 7
Questions raised in Parliament by Forbes and Ministerial replies
Federal Election, 18 May 1974 (File 22) - Box 7
Election promotional material, memoranda, correspondence, Forbes' speaking itinerary, financial accounts, speeches and policy statements
Foreign affairs and defence papers, 1974-1975 (File 23_26) - Box 7,8
Correspondence, speeches, statements, reports, newspaper clippings and memoranda gathered and produced by Forbes whilst he was Shadow Minister for Defence
Shadow Ministry, 1974-1975 (File 27) - Box 8
Correspondence, reports, memoranda, press statements and agenda
Provision of free school milk for pre-school children, 1975 (File 28) - Box 8
Submission by Billy Snedden, B. Lloyd and Senator J. Rae
Series 6. Liberal Party of Australia South Australian Division, 1975-1993
Forbes was on the executive of the Liberal Party of Australia South Australian division for many years and served as State President from 1979 to 1982.
The series comprises memoranda, correspondence, reports, agenda and minutes, speeches, newspaper clippings and publications.
Applications for pre-selection as candidates and for the position of Executive Director of the Liberal and Country League, 1973-1974 (File 3) - Box 10
'Miscellaneous' files, 1975-1980 (File 4_6) - Box 10
Correspondence and drafts, memoranda, reports, speeches and programmes
Agenda, minutes and reports, 1976-1977 (File 7) - Box 11
Papers relating to the State Council, Policy Committee and candidate pre-selections
Baden Teague, 1978 (File 11) - Box 11
Copies of Senator Baden Teague's questions and maiden speech from Hansard. Report to the State Council, 1978 by Teague
Applications and pre-selections, 1978-1979 (File 17) - Box 12
Applications for the position of General Secretary and pre-selection nominations for the Legislative Council
Policies, 1979 (File 21) - Box 13
Reports and drafts. Includes a copy of Liberal Party Speakers Notes, 1977
Opposition Bulletin, 1979 (File 23) - Box 13
5 Copies of the Bulletin and a report on the South Australian economy
State President's papers, 1979-1980 (File 24_26) - Box 13,14
Agenda, minutes, memoranda and reports from a number of committees
State Executive, Planning and Campaign Committees, 1979-1981 (File 32) - Box 14
Agenda, minutes, correspondence and memoranda
State President's papers, 1981 (File 39_40) - Box 16
Agenda, minutes, memoranda and reports from a number of committees
State Executive, 1982 (File 41_42) - Box 16
Agenda, papers, minutes, reports and a copy of the 1982 South Australian State election Speakers' notes
Series 7. Liberal Party of Australia, Federal, 1973-1993
Forbes was active in numerous committees within the Liberal Party for many years and served as Federal President from 1982 to 1985.
The series contains memoranda, correspondence, reports, agenda and minutes, speeches, newspaper clippings and publications.
The way ahead with a Liberal Country Party government, 1974 (File 5) - Box 19
13 pamphlets outlining Liberal/Country Party policy
Federal Council, 1977 (File 7) - Box 20
Agenda, programme, discussion papers and reports; Includes papers from a non-plenary discussion group on industrial relations
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy, 1979 (File 12) - Box 21
Notes, memoranda and press clippings
The challenge of the eighties : a Liberal approach, 1979 (File 14) - Box 21
Report with attached Federal Council memoranda
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, February 1980 (File 15) - Box 21
Includes a copy of the Federal Platform of the Liberal Party, 1974
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, March 1980 (File 16) - Box 21
Memoranda and reports
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meetings, April-June 1980 (File 17) - Box 21
Memoranda and reports
Reports and agenda, 1980 (File 20) - Box 22
Includes parliamentary directory, 1980, a market research study and NSW State Council meeting minutes and agenda
Federal Executive, 1980-1981 (File 23_25) - Box 22,23
Reports, correspondence and agendas. Includes papers from the State Executive and Campaign Committee
'Loyalty and unity', October-November 1981 (File 29) - Box 23
Memoranda, correspondence, press cuttings and draft notes relating to Andrew Peacock and Malcolm Fraser. Includes 1975 Federal Executive fundraising code
Federal Executive meetings, November and December 1981 (File 33) - Box 24
Minutes, agenda and papers
European Democratic Union and Pacific Democratic Union, 1981-1982 (File 35) - Box 24
Memoranda and reports
Correspondence, 1982 (File 36) - Box 24
Correspondence congratulating Forbes on becoming Federal President of the Liberal Party
Masius presentation, August 1982 (File 40) - Box 25
Memoranda relating to a presentation by the advertising firm
Federal Executive and Federal President's meetings, 1982 (File 42) - Box 25
Minutes, agenda and memoranda
Federal Executive meeting, April 1983 (File 47) - Box 26
Agenda, memoranda and reports. Includes the handbook for the 36th Federal Council
Federal Executive meetings, June, August and September 1983 (File 48) - Box 26
Agenda, memoranda and reports
Federal Executive papers, 1983 (File 50) - Box 27
Includes copies of the Western Australian and Queensland conference programmes.
Electoral Policy Review Committee meeting, June 1983 (File 53) - Box 27
Agenda, submission and memoranda
Committee of Review, April 1983 (File 54) - Box 27
After the federal electoral defeat of 1983, the Liberal Party established a Committee of Review in which Forbes served under the chairmanship of John Valder. Paper presentation by Graham Jones.
Committee of Review submissions received, May-June 1983 (File 55) - Box 27
Correspondence received by the Committee from the public
Committee of Review meetings, April-May 1983 (File 56) - Box 28
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and press clippings
Committee of Review meetings, 6 & 13 May 1983 (File 57) - Box 28
Agenda, memoranda and a copy of the Federal Platform, 1982
Committee of Review meetings, June 1983 (File 58) - Box 28
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and discussion papers
Committee of Review meeting, 1 July 1983 (File 59) - Box 28
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and discussion papers
Committee of Review meetings, 15, 28 & 29 July 1983 (File 60) - Box 28
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and discussion papers
Committee of Review meeting, 12 August 1983 (File 61) - Box 29
Agenda, correspondence, drafts, memoranda and discussion papers
Committee of Review meeting, 19 August 1983 (File 62) - Box 29
Agenda, correspondence, drafts, memoranda and discussion papers
Committee of Review meetings, 8 & 9 September 1983 (File 63) - Box 29
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and Review drafts
Committee of Review meetings, 15 & 16 September 1983 (File 64) - Box 29
Agenda, correspondence, memoranda and Review drafts
Meeting of Federal office-bearers on Queensland, October 1983 (File 66) - Box 30
Agenda, correspondence and reports
Queensland State Election, October 1983 (File 67) - Box 30
Correspondence, newspaper clippings and transcripts. Correspondents include John Herron.
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, October 1983 (File 68) - Box 30
Agenda, memoranda, discussion papers and reports
Federal President's papers, 1983 (File 71_73) - Box 30,31
Memoranda, discussion papers, correspondence and reports received by Forbes whilst he was Federal President
Federal President's papers, 1984 (File 74_76) - Box 31
Memoranda, discussion papers, correspondence and reports received by Forbes whilst he was Federal President
Federal Executive meeting, September 1984 (File 85) - Box 33
Agenda, discussion papers and memoranda
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, March 1984 (File 86) - Box 33
Agenda, draft policies and memoranda
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, May 1984 (File 87) - Box 33
Agenda, draft policies and memoranda
Joint Standing Committee on Federal Policy meeting, June 1984 (File 88) - Box 33
Agenda, draft policies and memoranda
Federal President's papers, 1985 (File 90_95) - Box 34,35
Memoranda, discussion papers, correspondence and reports received by Forbes whilst he was Federal President
'Peace through Strength' campaign meeting, March 1985 (File 99) - Box 35
Agenda, discussion papers, memoranda and draft speakers' draft
Series 8. Miscellaneous Liberal Party papers, 1982-1984
The series comprises a large number of papers labelled by Forbes as 'Miscellaneous'. The papers mainly consist of administrative material from both the Federal Secretariat and South Australian division of the Liberal Party.
Interspersed are some papers relating to the Pacific and European Democratic Unions, the Young Liberal Movement and the Liberal Club (Adelaide).
Correspondence, minutes, agenda, memoranda, invitations, newspaper clippings, notes and drafts, 1981-1982 (File 1) - Box 37
Correspondence, minutes, agenda, memoranda, invitations, newspaper clippings, notes and drafts, 1982 (File 2_14) - Box 37,38,39
Correspondence, minutes, agenda, memoranda, invitations, newspaper clippings, notes and drafts, 1982-1983 (File 15_19) - Box 40
Correspondence, minutes, agenda, memoranda, invitations, newspaper clippings, notes and drafts, 1982-1984 (File 20) - Box 41
Correspondence, minutes, agenda, memoranda, invitations, newspaper clippings, notes and drafts, 1983 (File 21_32) - Box 41,42,43
Series 9. Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission, 1981-1984
Forbes was Chairman of the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Commission from 1978 to 1984.
Series 10. National Library of Australia Council, 1982-1985
Forbes served on the Council from 1979 to 1985 and as Council Chairman in1982-1985.
National Library of Australia Council (File 1) - Box 45
Correspondence, speeches, drafts, invitations, newspaper clippings, memoranda and minutes. Correspondents include Barry Cohen, George Chandler and Harrison Bryan.
Conference of Cultural Authorities, March 1984 (File 2) - Box 45
Papers and memoranda for the conference which Forbes attended in hiscapacity as Chairman of the National Library Council
National Library of Australia. Selection Advisory Committee for Office of Director-General, 1984-1985 (File 3_5) - Box 45
Papers relating to the recruitment process for the position of Director-General. Includes minutes, correspondence, reports, applications, candidate biographies and the recruitment committee's deliberations
Series 11. Diaries, address and note books, 1957-1984
The series comprises seven bound volumes and 19 separate loose-leaf sections. All of the diaries were used intermittently and largely for appointments (some contain notes and jokes).
