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Gordon Freeth interviewed by John Ferrell for the Parliament's oral history project [sound recording]
Bib ID 764289
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline [sound recording]
Author
Freeth, Gordon, 1914-2001, Interviewee
 
Online Versions
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1988 
28 cassettes (ca. 1680 min.) : 1 7/8 ips. 
Series

Parliament's oral history project.

Summary

Honourable Sir Gordon Freeth, Federal politician and diplomat, speaks about his family background; schooling in Sydney and Western Australia; university life; his legal practice in Katanning; pilot training in the RAAF and service in New Guinea; winning the seat of Forrest in the 1949 election campaign; impressions of Canberra and Parliament; servicing his electorate; issues of the 1950's including communism, Korean War and relations with the United States; the 1951 double dissolution and election; committee service as a back bencher; issues while Minister for the Interior and Works; conference in Djakarta about the Colombo Plan; his portfolio for Shipping and Transport; trade visits overseas; retirement of Robert Menzies; John Gorton; Vietnam War; appointment as Minister for External Gorton; Vietnam War; loss of the seat of Forrest and details of his postings as Ambassador to Japan and High Commissioner in London.

Biography/History

Freeth held the seat of Forrest, Western Australia for the Liberal Party from December 1949 until October 1969; held ministerial portfolios for Interior and Works, 1958-63; Shipping and Transport, 1963-68 and External Affairs, 1969; was Australian Ambassador to Japan, 1970-73 and High Commissioner of Australia to Great Britain, 1977-1980.

Notes

Parliament's oral history project is an ongoing project administered by the Australian Parliamentary Library focussing on retired parliamentarians and their political careers.

Recorded at Mosman Park, W.A. between 7 January 1988 and 26 March 1988.

Also available online at: http:/­/­nla.gov.au/­nla.oh-vn764289

Index/Finding Aid Note Transcript (526 p.) and index available. 
Subjects Freeth, Gordon, - 1914-2001 - Interviews.  |  Politicians - Australia - Interviews.  |  Ambassadors - Australia - Interviews.  |  Australia - Politics and government - History.
Other authors/contributors Ferrell, John (Walter John), Interviewer  |  Australia. Department of the Parliamentary Library

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