Sunday, March 18, 2007

Sydney's Bridge

History really is written by the victors. I was reminded of this a few days ago by a comment on Sydney radio by a "historian" that the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was opposed only by a few "winging country politicians."

Today the Harbour Bridge has achieved iconic status because of its design. Yet the reality is that its building was so strongly opposed by country politicians who believed, correctly, that it was another diversion of cash to the city that the then Government was forced to make the vote a non-party one.

The Legislative Assembly then divided on Sydney-country lines. Among the few Sydney politicians who voted against the Bridge was Jack Lang, later famous as the NSW Premier who presided over its opening!

If you want to find the facts on the vote, see my post on the New England Australia blog.

Nothing like an actual check of the records to correct perceptions.

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