Have we always had Liberal and Labor as the major parties?
Not always. In the first decade after Federation, the major parties in the Australian Parliament were the Free Trade Party, the Protectionist Party and the Australian Labor Party. The Australian Labor Party is the oldest Australian political party and was formed by the trade union movement in the 1890s. Australia’s other major political party, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded in 1944.
Australian Parliament House

DPS Auspic
Description
The front of Australian Parliament House, Canberra. This building is where the Australian Parliament meets.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.