Page "Arthur Calwell" Paragraph 5

In 1945, Calwell became Minister for Immigration in Ben Chifley's post-war Labor government.

Thus, he was the chief architect of Australia's post-war immigration scheme at a time when many European refugees desired a better life far from their war-torn homelands, and he became famous for his relentless promotion of it.

Calwell's advocacy of the program was crucial because of his links to the trade union movement, and his skillful presentation of the need for immigration.

Calwell overcame resistance to mass immigration by promoting it under the slogan " populate or perish ".

This drew attention to the need, particularly in light of the recent war in the Pacific, to increase Australia's industrial and military capabilities through a massive increase in the population.

In July 1947 he signed an agreement with the United Nations Refugee Organisation to accept displaced persons from European countries ravaged by war.