Display of the Denis Murphy Collection

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Denis Murphy joined the ALP in 1964. He served as an elected branch member on the Queensland Central Executive and the ALP State Council from 1968.

He was unsuccessful in contesting the Federal seat of Petrie in 1972 before concentrating his efforts on state politics.

Described as the spiritual leader of the ALP Reform Group, it was Murphy’s 1978 paper, 'Can we improve the organisation of the Labor Party in Queensland?', that provided the administrative structure for the reform of the party which occurred between 1978 and 1981.

In 1980 Murphy was elected State President. With State Secretary Peter Beattie, Murphy visited many branches in country areas, initiated the restoration of the ALP’s financial base in Queensland and organised Labor’s campaign for the upcoming 1983 state election.

In this election, Murphy won the seat of Stafford and was appointed the Shadow Minister for Health. He died only six months later.

In his tribute to Murphy, Peter Beattie said:
'I have lost a close personal friend, the Labor Party has lost a leader of inspiration and commitment, and the people of Queensland have lost a potential statesman.'

This leaflet distributed by the Reform Group in 1978, is one of the few printed documents to be produced during the reform campaign. It includes extracts from addresses delivered by Peter Beattie and Denis Murphy, Hayden’s address to the Petrie-Ryan-Fisher conference and Whitlam's speech to the 1977 convention. The Reformists adopted the ALP’s state election slogan from 1977 'It's a great party. Let’s get it working again'.
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