Defections

• In 1909, Protectionist leader Alfred Deakin negotiated a merger between his party and Joseph Cook's Anti-Socialists, which became the Commonwealth Liberal Party. The party was joined by most sitting Protectionists and Anti-Socialists, together with Labour MP James Fowler (Perth), WAP MP William Hedges (Fremantle), Independent Senator William Trenwith (Victoria), and the "Corner" group of Independent Protectionists: George Fairbairn (Fawkner), Sir John Forrest (Swan), Sir John Quick (Bendigo), Sydney Sampson (Wimmera) and Agar Wynne (Balaclava). Protectionists Sir William Lyne (Hume), George Wise (Gippsland) and David Storrer (Bass), who were sceptical of the merger, became Independents, as did Anti-Socialist Senator Sir Josiah Symon (South Australia). Protectionist MP John Chanter (Riverina) joined the Labour Party.