Australian Prime ministers (1945-1972)

By Amelia7213

  • Francis Forde- Labour Party

    15th Prime Minister On the death of John Curtin, deputy Prime Minister Frank Forde was sworn in until the federal parliamentary Labor Party elected a new leader.
  • Period: to

    1945-1975

    15th Prime Minister On the death of John Curtin, deputy Prime Minister Frank Forde was sworn in until the federal parliamentary Labor Party elected a new leader.

  • Ben Chifley-Labour Party

    16th Prime Minister New Prime Minister Ben Chifley was sworn in after being chosen the day before as the new leader of the Labor Party.

  • Robert Menzies-Liberal Party

    Prime Minister for the 2nd time Robert Menzies became Prime Minister for the second time, starting a 16-year term that set a record in Australian politics. The Liberal/Country Party coalition had been convincingly returned at the federal election on 10 December.

  • Harold Holt-Liberal Party

    17th Prime Minister After a record 16-year term, Sir Robert Menzies resigned and Harold Holt was sworn in.

  • John McEwen-Country/National

    18th Prime Minister John McEwen was sworn in as Prime Minister two days after Harold Holt disappeared in the ocean off Portsea, Victoria.

  • John Gorton-Labour Party

    19th Prime Minister After the Liberal Party elected Senator John Gorton as the new Party leader, he was sworn in as Prime Minister.

  • William McMahon-Liberal Party

    20th Prime Minister After displacing John Gorton as Liberal Party leader, William McMahon was sworn in as Prime Minister.

  • Gough Whitlam- Labor Party

    21st Prime Minister Labor was elected to government for the first time in 23 years. Gough Whitlam and deputy Lance Barnard were sworn in to comprise the first ministry until a Cabinet was chosen.