For nearly a decade there has been a growing interest in the role of the Australian Catholics in Labour politics. During this period numerous authors, in discussing the Labour Party, have commented upon the Irish-Catholic-Labour alignment and have paused, in passing, to speculate upon its significance and implications. Few, however, have made any attempt to trace the origins of this alignment or to date the consummation of the informal alliance. This study seeks to trace this frequently neglected background. (From introduction)