In 1951 the Menzies Government called a referendum to provide the Commonwealth with the constitutional power to implement its policy.

In a scathing critique of the referendum proposal, he poses the following rhetorical question: "Have we so little faith in our ability to defeat Communism in a free encounter that we must employ totalitarian methods against them?

[2] During the period from 1951 until his eventual election to the Senate, Missen was passed over for pre-selection for a Parliamentary seat on several occasions, due in part to his strong position taken on the Communist Party Dissolution Bill.

He was elected to the Victorian State Executive and participated energetically in its committee system and also was an early supporter of the quarterly Checkpoint formed in 1969 to stimulate a greater level of policy debate.

Missen was elected vice-president of the Victorian Division on the same ticket as the party's new president Peter Hardie.

Another Missen ally, Billie Snedden, was elected Federal Opposition Leader following the Liberal Party's electoral loss in December 1972.

He also raised concerns that the Liberal Party may win a subsequent election but be tainted by the divisive means of obtaining power.

The crisis ended unexpectedly on 11 November 1975 when the Governor-General dismissed the Prime Minister and issued writs for a double dissolution Federal election.

[10] During the term of the Fraser Government (1975–1983) Missen made his mark as an activist backbencher and champion of the Senate committee process.

Reflecting on Missen's role, Malcolm Fraser commented in 1992: "People often confuse the concept of loyalty.

Missen found himself increasingly isolated as a new generation of economic reformers took control of the Liberal Party in Victoria and elsewhere across Australia.

Soon after Howard's elevation he wrote a paper entitled 'The Winter of Our Discontent' about the direction of the Liberal Party.

Richard Alston was appointed by the Liberal Party to fill the casual vacancy following Alan Missen's death.

[16] Justice Michael Kirby delivered the inaugural Alan Missen Memorial Lecture on 10 November 1986 in Melbourne.

[b] The Amnesty International Australian Parliamentary Group also holds an annual Alan Missen Memorial Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra.