Health, Welfare and the State: A study of the 1925 Australian Royal Commission on Health

Abstract

As set out in the Australian Constitution at Federation, the Commonwealth’s only health responsibility was in the area of quarantine. States retained jurisdiction for public health. The Commonwealth became involved in more extensive matters of health during World War One, however, by intervening in and managing the medical services of the defence forces. Following the war there were calls to establish a Royal Commission to consider national health policy and practice. This thesis analyses the Royal Commission and contextualises it within the post-war period of reconstruction and change. The study shows the importance of Director-General of Quarantine, Dr John Howard Lidgett Cumpston, and suggests that he was the driving force behind the Royal Commission. His new Department of Health’s powers were limited, especially concerning relationships between the States and Commonwealth, and Cumpston wanted a Royal Commission to examine all matters of health, including relations between the States and the Commonwealth. He used his influence to persuade Prime Minister Stanley Bruce to agree to a Royal Commission. An exploration of Cumpston’s private papers, letters, notes and publications, shows that although the Commission was meant to be independent of the Department of Health, Cumpston was influential throughout the whole process. The central focus of this thesis is an analysis of the proceedings of the Royal Commission, and from several themes to emerge two are taken as separate objects of examination. Firstly, Infant and Maternal Welfare, in particular the 1912 Maternity Allowance; and secondly, the Medical Services of the Defence Forces and of the Repatriation Department.