Defunct Defunct The National Defence League (NDL) was an independent conservative political party, founded in 1891[1] by MLC Richard Baker in South Australia as an immediate response to the perceived threat from Labor.
The NDL, composed of Adelaide businessmen, professional men and pastoralists, organised to oppose: Labor and the United Trades and Labour Council, perceived socialism, increased suffrage, the eight-hour day, state conciliation and arbitration, and a single tax.
The NDL stood for 'the preservation of law, order and property' and was opposed to 'all undue class influence in Parliament'.
The party's highest vote was 30.6 percent at the 1896 election.
The current South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of South Australia claims on its website that the party originated with the NDL.