“The successes of the Menzies government outweighed the failures.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the successes of the Menzies government outweighed the failures. Candidates are required to discuss a range of the policies of Robert Menzies, who was Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister holding office from 1949 to 1966. The question is open so candidates may cover a broad range of social, economic and foreign policies or focus on one area in more depth. Candidates are required to address both positive and negative developments. Discussion of successes may refer to Australia’s economic boom and the signing of the ANZUS Treaty and SEATO. Candidates may also refer to social developments including ending restrictions on Aboriginal voting rights and increasing higher education opportunities. Failures may include the recession that Australia experienced in 1961, growing unemployment and Australian involvement in the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency.