Political Party Time Line By Deniel_H 1890 Labor party founded by trade union movement 1901 Labor made national politics 1918 The name 'Australian Labor Party' was adopted 1920 The Nationals party was created Period: 1920 to 1975 The National party name: 'Australian Country Party' Dec 16, 1922 Nationals held balance of power (14 seats) 1923 Coalition formed Period: 1931 to 1941 Labor out of office (Great Depression) 1944 Liberal Party of Australia Formed Robert Menzies Oct 16, 1944 'The Liberal Party of Australia' was adopted 1945 Liberal party membership reached 40 000 1946 First election was fought by Liberal 1947 Liberals won in Victoria, WA and SA 1949 Liberals elected to national government Period: 1949 to 1972 Liberal Party governed for 23 years 1966 Sir Robert Menzies retires (founder of Liberal) Period: 1975 to 1983 Liberal Party governed Period: 1975 to 1978 'National Country Party' (Nationals) Period: 1982 to 2006 Nationals named: 'The National Party of Australia' 1983 Labor Party returns to power under Robert Hawk Period: 1983 to 1996 Labor in office 1987 Labor re-elected 1990 Labor re-elected 1991 Paul Keating took leadership of Labor Party 1992 The Greens political party was formed 1996 Liberal Party re-elected to govern Australia 1996 Liberal party took office under John Howard 1998 Liberal Party re-elected to govern Australia 2001 Liberal Party re-elected to govern Australia 2002 Greens won a House of Representatives seat 2004 Liberal Party re-elected to govern Australia 2004 Greens won two additional senate seats Period: 2006 to 2018 'The Nationals' is the current party name Dec 6, 2006 Kevin Rudd becomes Labor Party's Leader Dec 3, 2007 Kevin Rudd sworn in as Prime Minister 2010 Julia Gillard becomes 1st Australian PM (Labor) 2013 Abbott Coalition Government took office 2015 Malcolm Turnbull becomes prime minster (Liberal)
