McMahon Government
|
The Right Honourable Sir William McMahon GCMG, CH |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
|
20th Prime Minister of Australia Elections: 1972 |
|
|
In office 10 March 1971 – 5 December 1972 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Sir Paul Hasluck |
| Deputy | Doug Anthony |
| Preceded by | John Gorton |
| Succeeded by | Gough Whitlam |
The McMahon Government refers to the period of federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister William McMahon. It was made up of members of a Liberal Party of Australia-Country Party of Australia coalition in the Australian Parliament from March 1971 to 5 December 1972.
John Gorton became Prime Minister of Australia on 10 January 1968. He was chosen to lead the Liberal Party of Australia to replace Harold Holt, who had drowned in rough surf off the Victorian coast. William McMahon was then serving as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, but Country Party leader John McEwen ruled out maintaining the Coalition if McMahon became Prime Minister. McMahon as Treasurer had resisted McEwen's support for high levels of protection for manufacturing. Defence and Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War was a prominent issue during the term of the Gorton Government; funding for the arts was expanded, rates of pay were standardised between the men and women and the mining industry grew during the period. A policy of economic centralisation led to friction with State leaders and difficulties within the coalition. Gorton departed the office of Prime Minister on 10 March 1971 after a tied Liberal party room vote of confidence in his leadership.
The Liberal-Country Party Coalition had been in office continually since 1949. In April 1967, Gough Whitlam replaced Arthur Calwell as Leader of the Labor Party Opposition. Labor reduced the Gorton Government's majority and came within 4 seats of government in the 1969 election. The Government performed poorly in the 1970 half senate election adding to pressures on Gorton's leadership. Defence minister Malcolm Fraser developed an uneasy relationship with Gorton and in early 1971, Fraser accused Gorton of being disloyal to him in a conflict with Army officials over progress in South Vietnam. On 8 March 1971, Fraser resigned and announced in Parliament on 9 March that Gorton was "not fit to hold the great office of Prime Minister".
...
Wikipedia