Arthur Calwell was a Member of the Parliament of Australia between 1940 and 1972 and was Australia’s first Minister for Immigration between 1945 and 1949.
As Minister for Immigration, Calwell oversaw the relaxation of Australia’s immigration policy which lead to Australia accepting tens of thousands of Jewish Holocaust survivors and refugees from Europe.
Arthur Calwell was also Opposition Leader and leader of the Australian Labor Party between 1960 and 1967.
During his long career in public life, Arthur Calwell enjoyed warm relations with the Jewish community and its leadership.
In recognition of his support for the Jewish community and the State of Israel, the Arthur Calwell Forrest in Kisalon, Israel was dedicated by the Jewish National Fund of Australia in 1996.
