Speaking of talented up and coming Australian political scientists, Melbourne University’s Sally Young (with assistance from researchers Stephanie Younane and Mary Helen McIlroy) has just launched “Soapbox“, an archive of election material running back to federation. Browsing through the launch speeches, I’m struck by the fact that in virtually every election, even back to the 1940s, the Coalition launch speeches focus on values, while the ALP speeches are awash with facts and gritty policies.
They’re looking for more material to complete the archive, so if you have copies of the ALP’s 1951 policy launch speech, I’m sure Sally would be delighted to hear from you.
Andrew Leigh's Archived Blog 2004-2010 
Thanks for the reference Andrew.
I’m sure you’re right in your claim, but I took one core sample – 1937. Looks like a counterexample to your thesis.
This is how John Curtin started.
Joe Lyons was much more mundane. He sounds like a bit of a ‘you’ve never had it so good’ kind of guy.
There follows a bunch of grubby, gritty facts and factoids.
To win Coalition needed voters of workers (especially Protestants) hence the values focus. Judith Brett is partially right.
Nicholas, that is interesting. I confess the ones I skimmed were all post-WWII.
Geoff, your thesis certainly makes sense. Indeed, ever since we can measure, churchgoers have favoured the Coalition by a goodly (godly?) margin.
If Andrew is right, perhaps it concerns their respective pessimisms.
The free market and conservative right is worried about bad human nature and wants to give us a pep talk. The left is concerned about an uncooperative material environment so boasts of the achievements in coping with it.