Free Trade Party

The Free Trade Party was a political party in Australia from the 1880s until 1909. It favoured the abolition of protective tariffs and other restrictions on trade, arguing that this would create greater prosperity for all. It was centred in New South Wales, where its leaders were Sir Henry Parkes and Sir George Reid. It dominated New South Wales colonial politics before federation. Reid was Prime Minister of Australia in 1904-05. The Free Trade Party merged with the Protectionist Party to become the Liberal Party in 1909.