Arthur Edward Moore, New Zealand-Australian farmer and politician, 23rd Premier of Queensland (b. 1876)

Arthur Edward Moore: Queensland's Premier Amidst the Great Depression

Arthur Edward Moore (9 February 1876 – 7 January 1963) was a significant Australian politician, particularly renowned for his tenure as the Premier of Queensland. He led the Country and Progressive National Party (CPNP) during a profoundly challenging period from 1929 to 1932. His premiership is notable not just for its timing but for its historical rarity, as he was the only Queensland Premier outside the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to hold office for an extended period between 1915 and 1957. This fact starkly highlights the entrenched dominance of the Labor Party in Queensland's political landscape throughout much of the 20th century, making Moore's non-Labor interlude a unique and brief exception.

The Rise of the Country and Progressive National Party

Moore's ascent to the premiership in 1929 represented a considerable political victory. He played a crucial role in consolidating Queensland's diverse conservative factions into the Country and Progressive National Party, a unified force against the long-standing Labor government. The CPNP, formed in 1925, was an amalgamation of the Country Party and the Queensland Nationalist Party, specifically designed to centralize the non-Labor vote. Moore successfully steered this coalition to power, achieving a level of conservative unity that had been elusive for many years, thus offering a temporary but potent alternative to the prevailing political order.

Leadership Through the Great Depression

Despite his political acumen in uniting the conservative movement, Arthur Moore's government found its capabilities severely tested by the global economic cataclysm known as the Great Depression. The crisis, ignited by the Wall Street Crash of October 1929, swiftly plunged Queensland into economic hardship, marked by plummeting export prices for primary products, widespread unemployment, and a drastic contraction of economic activity. Moore's administration, like many other governments across Australia and internationally – including those in New South Wales and the federal government – grappled with the immense pressures. His government attempted to implement various austerity measures and economic adjustments in response to the crisis, but the sheer scale and intensity of the downturn proved insurmountable. The severe public distress and widespread desire for new solutions ultimately led to the CPNP's defeat in the 1932 election, bringing the Labor Party back to power and reaffirming their long-term dominance in Queensland politics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arthur Edward Moore

What political party did Arthur Edward Moore lead as Premier?

Arthur Edward Moore served as the Premier of Queensland leading the Country and Progressive National Party (CPNP).

When was Arthur Edward Moore Premier of Queensland?

He held the premiership from 1929 to 1932.

What makes Arthur Edward Moore's premiership historically unique?

His premiership is historically unique because he was the only Queensland Premier not affiliated with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to serve for an extended period between 1915 and 1957, a testament to the ALP's long-standing political dominance in the state.

What major challenge did Moore's government face during his term?

Moore's government faced the formidable economic challenges posed by the Great Depression, which severely tested its ability to manage widespread unemployment and economic decline.