Independent Democratic Party (Australia)

Independent Democratic Party
LeaderRaphael Cilento
Founded1953
Dissolved1954

The Independent Democratic Party (IDP), sometimes referred to as the Independent Democratic Group, the Queensland Democratic Party or simply the Democratic Party, was an Australian political party that was active in the mid-1950s. It was led by public health administrator Raphael Cilento.

Ahead of the 1953 Senate election, the party merged with the New South Wales-based Democratic Party of Australia (DPA).[1] However, they split following the election.[2] The party was also separate from the North Queensland Democratic Party.[3]

  1. ^ "New party's Senate teams". Queensland Times. 11 March 1953.
  2. ^ "Democratic team for Senate". Morning Bulletin. 8 April 1953. The Democratic team was announced in a joint statement tonight by the chairman of the Democratic Party (Mr Lance Jones) and the chairman of the Independent Democrats (Sir Raphael Cilento).
  3. ^ "CILENTO TO STAND FOR SENATE". Brisbane Telegraph. 2 April 1953. The North Queensland Democratic Party had been invited to associate itself with the Independent Democrats, but had decided not to run candidates for the Senate