Canberra Times, 17 November 1967, p. 9, National Library of Australia, NX 254.

Canberra Times, 17 November 1967, p. 9, National Library of Australia, NX 254.

Elaborating further in campaign advertising, Mr Whitlam promised committees to inquire into and report upon ‘education, health, housing, poverty, national disasters such as flood, fire, drought and the exploitation of our best natural resources’. Mr Whitlam argued that:

'Establishing the facts on national issues and suggesting practical solutions to them is the most valuable aid a Government can have in formulating long-term constructive national policies … Decisions cannot be made intelligently without the right kind of information and Senate committees will be a long overdue start in gathering this information.'

While Labor did not win a Senate majority in 1967, the election policy indicated that a critical mass of approval for an increased role for Senate committees was mounting in the parliament.