John McDonald (Victorian politician)

Leader of the Opposition (1948–1950): The carcrash arc

← Previous revision Revision as of 10:29, 30 April 2026 Line 239: Line 239:

In November 1949, Hollway's government put forward an appropriation bill that would have given his government supply until June of the next year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 1949 |title=OPPOSITION WILL FIGHT SUPPLY BILL IN UPPER HOUSE |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/279516947 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Sun News-Pictorial]] |pages=19}}</ref> McDonald moved an amendment that "supply not be granted beyond March."<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 1949 |title=HOLLWAY GOV'T. CHALLENGED ON SUPPLY BILL |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116841873 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Riverine Herald]] |pages=1}}</ref> The bill eventually passed shortly after 5 a.m. on the morning of 16 November. McDonald and Cain were both critical of the manner in which the bill passed, with McDonald declaring that "The Premier can only have one reason for his action, and that is he does not want to face the people in an election."<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 1949 |title=HOLLWAY GOVT CRITICISED |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264050369 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Border Mail|Border Morning Mail]] |pages=2}}</ref> In November 1949, Hollway's government put forward an appropriation bill that would have given his government supply until June of the next year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 1949 |title=OPPOSITION WILL FIGHT SUPPLY BILL IN UPPER HOUSE |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/279516947 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Sun News-Pictorial]] |pages=19}}</ref> McDonald moved an amendment that "supply not be granted beyond March."<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 1949 |title=HOLLWAY GOV'T. CHALLENGED ON SUPPLY BILL |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116841873 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Riverine Herald]] |pages=1}}</ref> The bill eventually passed shortly after 5 a.m. on the morning of 16 November. McDonald and Cain were both critical of the manner in which the bill passed, with McDonald declaring that "The Premier can only have one reason for his action, and that is he does not want to face the people in an election."<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 1949 |title=HOLLWAY GOVT CRITICISED |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264050369 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Border Mail|Border Morning Mail]] |pages=2}}</ref>
There were once again rumors in December that the Country Party would quit opposition and join the government when Parliament was to resume in April of the next year.<ref name=":46">{{Cite news |date=17 December 1949 |title=CP MAY QUIT OPPOSITION |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/280903278 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[Sunraysia Daily]] |pages=1}}</ref> The [[Sunraysia Daily]] reported that deputy leader [[Keith Dodgshun]] would be expected to lead the push to get the party out of opposition, and that McDonald and Dunstan would "warmly oppose any change in the party's role."<ref name=":46" /> It was also believed that some of Dodgshun's supporters wanted Dodgshun, rather than McDonald to lead the party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 1949 |title=State. C. P. Move Next Month To Leave Opposition |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/279453916 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[The Sun News-Pictorial]] |pages=15}}</ref>
McDonald was involved in a car accident near [[Katunga]] on 5 January 1950.<ref name=":47">{{Cite news |date=13 January 1950 |title=HON. J. G. B MCDONALD IN CAR ACCIDENT |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189237714 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=[[Cobram Courier]] |pages=1}}</ref> McDonald was in the car with one other person who was interested in buying a property from McDonald. <ref name=":47" /> Upon returning, the car struck a tree and both occupants were injured, with McDonald suffering from a lacerated head and knee, as well as many bruises.<ref name=":47" /> He was hospitalised for 15 days in the [[Mooroopna]] Base Hospital.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 1950 |title=ON THE MEND |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189065169 |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=Shepparton Advertiser |pages=1}}</ref>
==References== ==References== {{reflist}} {{reflist}}