Harold Holt: key people

Harold Holt was the prime minister of Australia from 1966 to 1967.

Adermann, Charles Frederick

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1943–49 (Maranoa) and 1949–72 (Fisher). Minister for Primary Industry (10 December 1958 – 16 October 1967) in the second Menzies and Holt governments.

Anderson, Kenneth McColl

Liberal Party Senator for New South Wales 1953–75. Minister for Customs and Excise (10 June 1964 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Supply (28 February 1968 – 2 August 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Health (2 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Anthony, Hubert Lawrence

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1937–57 (Richmond). Minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Commerce (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941), Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Transport (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Postmaster-General (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956), Minister for Civil Aviation (11 May 1951 – 9 July 1954) in the second Menzies government. Father of Doug Anthony.

Anthony, John Douglas (Doug)

National-Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1957–84 (Richmond). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for the Interior (4 March 1964 – 16 October 1967) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Primary Industry (16 October 1967 – 5 February 1971) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Deputy Prime Minister (11 November 1975 – 11 March 1983), Minister for Overseas Trade (11 November 1975 – 20 December 1977), Minister for Minerals and Energy (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for National Resources (22 December 1975 – 20 December 1977), Minister for Trade and Resources (20 December 1977 – 11 March 1983) in the Fraser government. Leader of the Country Party 1971–84, Anthony is the son of HL and Jessie Mary Anthony, and the father of Larry Anthony.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 55.

Barnes, Charles (Ceb) Edward

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1958–72 (McPherson). Minister for Territories (18 December 1963 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for External Territories (28 February 1968 – 25 January 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 64.

Barton, (Lady) Jane

Jane Barton was prime ministerial wife 1901–03. She was afterwards foundation president of the Queens Club in Sydney; and had been a vice-president of the Sydney Women's Federation League in 1899.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 930.

Best, (Sir) Robert Wallace

Protectionist Senator for Victoria 1901–10, then Member of the House of Representatives (Kooyong) for the Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17 and the Nationalist Party 1917–22. Best was Vice-President of the Executive Council (20 February 1907 – 13 November 1908) and Minister for Trade and Customs in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910). Best was a partner in the legal firm to which Harold Holt was articled in 1931. A strong supporter of the Australian Women's National League, Best was a frequent speaker at meetings and events in his electorate.

Bland, Henry Armand

Secretary of the Department of Labour and National Service 1952–67 and son of FA Bland.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 392.

Bowen, Nigel Hubert

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1964–73 (Parramatta). Attorney-General (14 December 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Education and Science (12 November 1969 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2 August 1971 – 5 December 1972), Attorney-General (22 March 1971 – 2 August 1971) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 74.

Brown, (Sir) Allen Stanley

Secretary, Prime Minister's Department 1949–59 and Australia-s Ambassador to Japan 1965–70.

Bruce, (Lord) Stanley Melbourne

Member of the House of Representatives (Flinders) for the Nationalist Party 1918–29 and for the United Australia Party 1931–33. Treasurer (1921–23) during the Hughes government, Prime Minister 1923–29, Minister for External Affairs 1923–29, Minister for Health 1927–28, and Minister for Trade and Customs 1928. Bruce was honorary Minister in London 1932–33 during the Lyons government and High Commissioner in London 1933–45 during the Lyons, Page, Menzies, Fadden and Curtin governments.

Bury, Leslie Harry Ernest

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1956–74 (Wentworth). Minister for Air (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962), Minister for Housing (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government. Minister for Labour and Service (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Treasurer (12 November 1969 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Foreign Affairs (22 March 1971 – 2 August 1971) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 34.

Calwell, Arthur Augustus

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1940–72 (Melbourne). Minister for Information (21 September 1943 – 19 December 1949) in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments, Minister for Immigration (13 July 1945 – 19 December 1949) in the Chifley government. Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party 1960–67.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 82.

Carmody, (Sir) Alan Thomas

Head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet 1976–78. Carmody had first joined the Public Service in 1937 and was deputy secretary of the Department of Trade in 1962–66 and head of the Department of Customs and Trade in 1966–76.

Casey, (Lord) Richard Gardiner

Governor-General of Australia (22 September 1965 – 30 April 1969), during the governments of RG Menzies, Harold Holt, John McEwen and John Gorton. As Australian government liaison officer in London 1924–31, Casey was a trusted adviser to Stanley Bruce, resigning in the cutbacks introduced by James Scullin in 1931. He was a United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Corio) and a Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–60 (LaTrobe). Casey was assistant Treasurer (9 November 1934 – 3 October 1935), Minister in charge of development of Scientific and Industrial Research (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938) in the Lyons government, and Treasurer (3 October 1935 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments. In 1941, John Curtin appointed Casey first Australian Minister to the United States, in 1942–43, he was a member of the British war cabinet, and from 1944 to 1946 Governor of Bengal. In the Menzies government, Casey was Minister for Supply and Development (26 April 1939 – 26 January 1940 and 19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Minister for Works and Housing (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951), Minister for National Development (17 March 1950 – 11 May 1951), Minister in charge of the CSIRO (22 March 1950 – 4 February 1960), Minister for External Territories (26 April 1951 – 11 May 1951), and Minister for External Affairs (26 April 1951 – 4 February 1960). In 1960, he was given a peerage, and became Baron Casey of Berwick, Victoria and the City of Westminster.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 24.

Chaney, Frederick (Fred) Charles

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–69 (Perth). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for the Navy (4 March 1964 – 14 December 1966) in the Menzies and Holt governments.

Chifley, Joseph Benedict (Ben)

Labor Member of the House of Representatives 1928–31 and 1940–51 (Macquarie) and Prime Minister and Treasurer (13 July 1945 – 19 December 1949). Chifley was Minister for Defence 1931–32 in the Scullin government, Treasurer 1941–45 in the Curtin and Forde governments, and Minister for Postwar Reconstruction 1942–45.

Chipp, Donald (Don) Leslie

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1960–69 (Higinbotham) and 1969–March 1977 (Hotham), Independent Member of the House of Representatives March–November 1977 (Hotham), Democrat Senator for Victoria 1977–86. Minister for the Navy and Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry (14 December 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Customs and Excise (12 November 1969 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister Assisting the Minister for National Development (27 May 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government, Minister for Social Security, Minister for Health, Minister for Repatriation and Compensation (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975) in the Fraser government. Chipp founded the Australian Democrats in 1977.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 121.

Cilento, (Sir) Raphael West

Director-General of Health and Medical Services in Queensland 1934–45 and Professor of Social and Tropical Medicine at the University of Queensland. Director for Refugees and Displaced Persons at the United Nations 1946–47.

Coles, Arthur William

Independent Member of the House of Representatives 1940–46 (Henty).

Coombs, Herbert (Nugget) Cole

Director-General of Postwar Reconstruction 1943–49, and Governor of the Commonwealth and Reserve Banks 1949–68, Coombs had been a Treasury official 1939–42 and Director of Rationing in 1942. After his retirement from the Public Service in 1968 he was chairman of the Australian Council for the Arts/Australia Council 1967–74, chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Affairs 1967–76 and second Chancellor of the Australian National University 1968–76.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 119.

Coppin, Ray

Commonwealth driver and assistant at The Lodge during the Menzies and Holt governments.

Crocker, Walter Russell

High Commissioner to India 1952–55, Ambassador to Indonesia 1955–56, High Commissioner to Canada 1956–58, High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Nepal 1958–62, Ambassador to Netherlands and Belgium 1962–65, Ambassador to Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya 1965–67, and Ambassador to Italy 1967–70. Crocker was then Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia 1973–82.

Curtin, Elsie

Prime ministerial spouse 1941–45.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 947.

Curtin, John Joseph

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1928–31 and 1934–45 (Fremantle), Prime Minister (1941–45), Minister for Defence Coordination (1941–42), and Minister for Defence (1942–45).

d'Egville, Howard

Organiser, and first Secretary, of the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1920. Elected Secretary-General of the renamed Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 1949, he organised and attended every Parliamentary Association function until he retired in 1960.

Downer, Alexander John Gosse

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1984–2008 (Mayo). Minister for Foreign Affairs (11 March 1996 – 3 December 2007) in the Howard government. The son of AR (Alick) Downer and grandson of JW (John) and Una Downer.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 447.

Eggleton, Anthony (Tony)

Press Secretary to Prime Ministers Robert Menzies, Harold Holt and John Gorton 1965–71.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 440.

Elizabeth II, Queen

British monarch and Queen of Australia, succeeding to the throne on the death of her father King George VI in 1952.

Erwin, George Dudley

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–75 (Ballaarat). Minister for Air (13 February 1969 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government, Erwin was Party Whip in 1967.

Evatt, Herbert (Doc) Vere

Evatt was a Justice of the High Court 1929–40, the youngest High Court judge. He was then Labor Party member of House of Representatives 1940–58 (Barton) and 1958–60 (Hunter) and Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs (1941–49) in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments. Evatt was Australian delegate to the conference founding the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, and president of the General Assembly 1948–49. He was first president of Australia's Atomic Energy Commission in 1946. Leader of the federal parliamentary Labor Party, 1951–60, Evatt then returned to the bench as Chief Justice of New South Wales 1960–62.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 7.

Fadden, Arthur William

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1936–49 (Darling Downs) and 1949–58 (McPherson). Prime Minister and Treasurer August – October 1941. Fadden was acting Prime Minister January–May 1941, Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (14 March 1940 – 14 August 1940), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), Minister Assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Treasurer (28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government. He again served as Treasurer (19 December 1949 – 10 December 1958) in the second Menzies government.

Fairbairn, David Eric

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–75 (Farrer). Minister for Air (4 August 1962 – 10 June 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for National Development (10 June 1964 – 12 November 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Education and Science (22 March 1971 – 20 August 1971), Minister for Defence (13 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 124.

Fairbairn, James Valentine

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1933–40 (Flinders). Minister for Civil Aviation (26 April 1939 – 13 August 1940), Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 April 1939 – 26 January 1940) and Minister for Air (13 November 1939 – 13 August 1940) in the first Menzies government.

Fairhall, Allen

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Paterson). Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works (11 January 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Supply (22 December 1961 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Defence (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 37.

Forbes, Alexander James (Jim)

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1956–75 (Barker). Minister for the Navy (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964), Minister for the Army (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Health (26 January 1966 – 22 March 1971) in the Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Immigration (22 March 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 140.

Forde, Francis (Frank) Michael

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1922–46 (Capricornia). Assistant Minister for Customs (22 October 1929 – 4 February 1931), Trade and Customs (4 February 1931 – 6 January 1932), Prime Minister (6 July 1945 – 13 July 1945) and Minister for the Army (7 October 1941 – 1 November 1946) in the Curtin and Chifley governments, as well as his own, Minister for Defence (15 August 1946 – 1 November 1946) in the Chifley government.

Fraser, John Malcolm

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–83 (Wannon) and Prime Minister 1975–83. Minister for the Army (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Education and Science (28 February 1968 – 12 November 1969), Minister for Defence (12 November 1969 – 8 March 1971) in the Gorton government, Minister for Education and Science (20 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Freeth, Gordon

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Forrest). Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works (10 December 1958 – 18 December 1963), Minister Assisting the Attorney-General (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Shipping and Transport (18 December 1963 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Air (28 February 1968 – 13 February 1969), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (28 February 1968 – 13 February 1969), Minister for External Affairs (11 February 1969 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 45.

Gorton, John Grey

Liberal Party Senator for Victoria 1950–68 and Member of the House of Representatives 1968–75 (Higgins), Gorton was Prime Minister in 1968–71. Minister for Education and Science (1966–68) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for the Navy (1958–63), minister assisting the Minister for External Affairs (1960–63), Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1962–63), Minister for the Interior (1963–64) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Works (1963–67), Minister in charge of Commonwealth Activities in Education and Research under the Prime Minister (1963–66) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Defence (1971) in the McMahon government.

Gullett, (Sir) Henry Somer

Nationalist-United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1925–40 (Henty), Minister for Trade and Customs (24 November 1928 – 22 October 1929). In the Bruce–Page government, in the Lyons government Minister for Trade and Customs (6 January 1932 – 14 January 1933), and minister without portfolio directing negotiations for Trade Treaties (12 October – 11 March 1937). Gullett accompanied Stanley Bruce to the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa in 1932. In the first Menzies government Gullett was Minister for External Affairs (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940) and Minister for Information (12 September 1939 – 14 March 1940), and Vice-President of Executive Council (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), and Minister Assisting the Minister for Information (14 March – 13 August 1940). Gullett had been an Australian war correspondent 1915–18. He was 1 of the 3 Cabinet ministers killed in an air crash at Canberra on 13 August 1940.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 530.

Hall, Hessel Duncan

Academic and authority on Commonwealth affairs, Hall had been a member of the League of Nations Secretariat 1927–39 and became a friend of Harold Holt after their meeting in Nairobi in 1954.

Harrison, (Sir) Eric John

Member of the House of Representatives (Wentworth) for the United Australia Party 1931–44 and for the Liberal Party 1944–56. Minister for the Interior (12 October – 9 November 1934) in the Lyons government. He served as assistant minister without portfolio assisting the Prime Minister and administrating External Territories (8 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments, Post-master General (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Repatriation (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Trade and Customs (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Deputy Leader of the Opposition (4 April 1944 – 19 December 1949), Minister for Defence (19 December 1949 – 24 October 1950), Minister for Post-War Reconstruction (19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Australian Resident Minister in London (23 April 1950 – 30 March 1951), Minister for the Interior (24 October 1950 – 11 May 1951), Vice-President of the Executive Council (11 May 1951 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Defence Production (11 May 1951 – 24 October 1956), Minister in charge of Royal Visit (1954), Minister for the Navy (7 November 1955 – 11 January 1956), Minister for the Army (7 November 1955 – 28 February 1956) in the second Menzies government. In 1954 Harrison was Minister in charge of the Royal Tour of Australia, and was Australian High Commissioner in London (25 October 1956–1964).

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 648.

Hasluck, Paul Meernaa Caedwalla

Governor-General of Australia 1969–74. Hasluck was a Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Curtin) and served as Minister for Territories (11 May 1951 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Defence (18 December 1963 – 24 August 1964) in the second Menzies government, and Minister for External Affairs (24 April 1964 – 11 February 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 115.

Hawker, Charles Allen Seymour

Nationalist-United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1929–38 (Wakefield), Minister for Repatriation (6 January – 12 April 1932), Minister for Markets (6 January – 13 April 1932), Minister for Commerce (13 April – 23 September 1932) in the Lyons government.

Healey, Denis Winston

Britain’s Minister for Defence 1964–70 in the Labour government of Harold Wilson.

Henty, Norman Henry Denham

Liberal Party Senator for Tasmania 1950–68. Minister for Customs and Excise (24 October 1956 – 10 June 1964), Minister for Civil Aviation (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Supply (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 215.

Hewitt, (Sir) Cyrus Lenox Simpson

Head of 3 Commonwealth departments Prime Minister’s Department 1968–71, Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts 1971–72 , and Department of Minerals and Energy 1972–75, Lenox Hewitt's first senior post was assistant secretary in the Commonwealth Prices Branch 1939–46, then Economist, Department of Postwar Reconstruction 1946–49. He was acting deputy High Commissioner in London 1950–53, Assistant Secretary in Treasury 1953–55, first Assistant Secretary in Treasury 1955–62, Deputy Secretary in Treasury 1962–66, and chairman of the Australian Universities Commission 1967–68. Lenox Hewitt was subsequently chairman of Qantas and of the Snowy Mountains Council, and a member of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission.

Holt, Zara

Prime ministerial spouse 1966–67.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 717.

Howson, Peter

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–69 (Fawkner) and 1969–72 (Casey). Minister for Air (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Air and Minister Assisting the Treasurer (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister in charge of Tourist Activities (31 May 1971 – 5 December 1972), Minister for Environment, Aborigines and the Arts (31 May 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Hughes, William Morris

Member of the House of Representatives 1901–17 (West Sydney), 1917–22 (Bendigo), 1922–49 (North Sydney) and 1949–52 (Bradfield). Hughes was a member of the Labor Party 1901–17, the Nationalist Party 1917–29, an ‘Independent Nationalist’ 1929–31, United Australia Party 1931–44, Liberal Party 1944–52. Prime Minister (1915–23), Hughes still holds the record as Australia’s longest-serving parliamentarian. He was a Minister in the governments of Watson (1904), Fisher (1908–09, 1910–13 and 1914–15), Lyons (1932–39), Page (Attorney-General, Minister for Industry and Minister for External Affairs (7 April 1939 – 26 April 1939), Menzies (Attorney-General 26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941, Minister for Industry 26 April 1939 – 28 October 1940, Minister for the Navy 28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941), and Fadden (continuing as Attorney-General and Minister for the Navy 29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941). During the term of his own government he also served as Attorney-General (27 October 1915 – 21 December 1921), Minister for Trade and Customs (29 September 1916 – 14 November 1916), Minister for External Affairs (21 December 1921 – 9 February 1923). As a New South Wales parliamentarian 1894–1901, Hughes was a founding member of the Labor Party in New South Wales. He became a founding member of the Nationalist Party in 1917, the United Australia Party in 1931, and the Liberal Party in 1945.

Hulme, Alan Shallcross

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–61 and 1963–72 (Petrie). Minister for Supply (10 December 1958 – 22 December 1961) in the second Menzies government, Postmaster-General (18 December – 5 December 1972) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments, Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 January 1966 – 5 December 1972) in the Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments.

Humphrey, Hubert

Vice-President (to Lyndon Johnson) of the United States of America 1964–69.

Jamieson, Stewart

Australia’s first Ambassador to Sweden 1963–64. Jamieson was Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1962–63, Ambassador to Brazil 1960–62, and Australian High Commissioner to Ghana 1957–60. He had been head of Australia’s diplomatic missions in San Francisco 1952–55, New York 1955–56, and Dublin 1956–57. In 1938, he was special correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald in the Balkans and in the Soviet Union.

Johnson, Lyndon Baines

Democratic Party President of the United States of America 1963–69 and Vice-President (to John Kennedy) 1960–63.

Kelly, Charles Robert

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1958–77 (Wakefield). Minister for Works (28 February 1967 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for the Navy (28 February 1968 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 40.

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald

Democratic Party President of the United States 1961–63. President Kennedy was assassinated on 22 November 1963.

Keynes (Lord), John Maynard

British economist. Lecturer in Economics at Cambridge (1908–15), editor of the Economic Journal (1912–45), author of The Economic Consequences of Peace (1919), A Treatise on Money (1930), and General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936). His theories became the foundation of modern economics. After World War II, he was closely involved in the Bretton Woods Conference that established the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Kittikachorn, Thanom

Prime Minister of Thailand 1957–58 and 1963–73.

Ky, Nguyen Cao

Air Vice-Marshal and head of the government of South Vietnam, with General Nguyen Van Thieu, from 1965.

Lampe, Frederick Ernest

A Melbourne businessman, Lampe was a foundation member of the Institute of Public Affairs in 1943 and involved in the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1942.

Lawson, John Norman

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Macquarie). Minister for Trade and Customs (26 April 1939 – 23 February 1940) in the first Menzies government.

Lyons, Joseph Aloysius

Labor Member of the House of Representatives 1929–31 and United Australia Party member 1931–39 (Wilmot), Postmaster-General and Minister for Works and Railways 1929–31 in the Scullin government, Prime Minister 1932–39, Treasurer 1932–35, Minister for Health, and Repatriation 1935–36. Lyons had been a Tasmanian parliamentarian 1909–28 and was state Premier 1923–28.

Lyons, (Dame) Enid Muriel

United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1943–51 (Darwin), Vice-President of the Executive Council (19 December 1949 – 7 March 1951) in the Menzies government and the first female Minister in the federal government. Dame Enid Lyons was prime ministerial spouse 1932–39.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 928.

McEwen, John

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1934–37 (Echuca) 1937–49 (Indi), 1949–71 (Murray) and Party leader 1956–71. Prime Minister (19 December 1967 – 10 January 1968), Minister for Trade and Industry (19 December 1967 – 10 January 1968), Minister for the Interior (29 November 1937 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments, Minister for External Affairs (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Commerce and Agriculture (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956), Minister for Trade (11 January 1956 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Trade and Industry (18 December 1963 – 5 February 1971) in the second Menzies, Holt and Gorton governments, Deputy Prime Minister (10 January 1968 – 5 February 1971) in the Gorton government.

McKellar, Gerald Colin

Country Party Senator for New South Wales 1958–70. Minister for Repatriation (22 December 1964 – 12 November 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 75.

McLeay, George

United Australia-Liberal Party Senator for South Australia 1935–47 and 1950–55. Vice-President of the Executive Council (7 April 1939–26 April 1939) in the Page government, Minister for Commerce (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Trade and Customs (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940), Postmaster-General (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister for Repatriation (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Supply and Development (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941), Vice-President of the Executive Council (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Shipping and Fuel (19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transport (17 March 1950 – 11 May 1951), Minister for Shipping and Transport (11 May 1951 – 14 September 1955) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 206.

McMahon, (Sir) William

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–82 (Lowe). Prime Minister (10 March 1971 – 5 December 1972), Minister for Foreign Affairs (6 November 1970 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton government and his own, Minister for the Navy and Minister for Air (17 July 1951 – 9 July 1954), Minister for Social Services (9 July 1954 – 28 February 1956), Minister for Primary Industry (11 January 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Labour and National Service (10 December 1958 – 26 January 1966), Vice-President of the Executive Council (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Treasurer (26 January 1966 –12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for External Affairs (12 November 1969 – 6 November 1970) in the Gorton government.

Menzies, (Sir) Robert Gordon

United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives (Kooyong) 1934–66 and Prime Minister 1939–41 and 1949–66. During his terms as Prime Minister he also served as Treasurer (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Defence Co-ordination (13 November 1939 – 29 August 1941), Minister for Trade and Customs (23 February 1940 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Information (14 March 1940 – 13 December 1940), Minister for Munitions (11 June 1940 – 28 October 1940), Vice-President of the Executive Council (7 March 1951 – 11 May 1951), Minister for External Affairs (4 February 1960 – 22 December 1961), Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (22 December 1961 – 16 February 1962). In the Lyons government Menzies had been Attorney-General (1934–39) and Minister for Industry (1934–39). In the Fadden government, he was Minister for Defence Co-ordination (29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941). He had been a Victorian parliamentarian 1928–34.

Monk, Albert Ernest

President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions 1949–73, Monk had been Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall 1920–21, of the Conference of Federated Unions 1933–34, of the Trades Hall Council 1934–39, and of the Australian Council of Trade Unions 1945–49.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 141.

Nixon, Peter James

National-Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1961–83 (Gippsland). Minister for the Interior (16 October 1967 – 5 February 1971) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Shipping and Transport (5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Transport (11 November 1975 – 8 December 1979), Postmaster-General (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for Primary Industry (27 September 1979 – 11 March 1983) in the Fraser government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 83.

Nixon, Richard Milhous

Republican President of the United States 1969–74 and Vice-President 1952–60.

Opperman, Hubert Ferdinand (Oppie)

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1947–67 (Corio). Minister for Shipping and Transport (5 February 1960 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Air (10 December 1958 – 29 December 1960) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Immigration (18 December 1963 – 14 December 1966) in the second Menzies and Holt governments.

Page, (Sir) Earle Christmas Grafton

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1919–61 (Cowper). Prime Minister 7–26 April 1939, Page was Treasurer and deputy Prime Minister in the Bruce–Page government (9 February 1923 – 22 October 1929), Minister for Commerce in the Lyons government (9 November 1934 – 26 April 1939) and also Minister for Health (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938). Page was also Minister for Commerce (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, and Minister for Health (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956) in the Menzies government.

Petrov, Vladimir

With Evdokia Petrov an intelligence officer at the Soviet Embassy in Canberra until both defected in 1954, triggering a Royal Commission into Soviet espionage in Australia.

Rahman, Tunku Abdul

First Prime Minister of Malaya 1955–63 and of Malaysia 1963–71.

Rankin, (Dame) Annabelle Jane Mary

Liberal Party Senator for Queensland 1947–71. Minister for Housing (26 January 1966 – 22 March 1971) in the Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 137.

Rosevear, John Solomon (Sol)

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–53 (Dalley), Speaker of the House of Representatives 22 June 1943 – 21 February 1950.

Ross, Lloyd

Director of Public Relations in the Department of Postwar Reconstruction from 1945.

Scullin, James Henry

Member of the House of Representatives 1910–13 and 1922–49 (Yarra). Prime Minister, Minister for External Affairs and Minister for Industry 1929–32, Treasurer 1930–31.

Sinclair, Ian McCahon

National-Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1963–98 (New England). Minister for Social Services (22 February 1965 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister Assisting the Minister of Trade and Industry (14 December 1966 – 5 February 1971) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Shipping and Transport (28 February 1968 – 5 February 1971) in the Gorton government, Minister for Primary Industry (5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Agriculture (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for Northern Australia (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for Primary Industry (22 December 1975 – 27 September 1979), Minister for Special Trade Representation (19 August 1980 – 3 November 1980), Minister for Communication (3 November 1980 – 7 May 1982), Minister for Defence (7 May 1982 – 11 March 1983) in the Fraser government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 426.

Snedden, (Sir) Billy Mackie

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–83 (Bruce). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Attorney-General (4 March 1964 – 14 December 1966) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Immigration (14 December 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Labour and National Service (12 November 1969 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Treasurer (22 March 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government. Leader of the Opposition (20 December 1972 – 21 March 1975).

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 77.

Spender, Percy Claude

Independent-United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1937–51 (Warringah). Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 January 1940 – 14 March 1940), minister without Portfolio assisting the Treasurer (26 April 1939 – 3 November 1939), Treasurer (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government; Minister for the Army (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments and a member of the Advisory War Council; Minister for External Affairs (19 December 1949 – 26 April 1951) in the second Menzies government. In 1950–51 Spender was vice President of the 5th United Nations General Assembly in New York, and was Australia’s Ambassador to the United States 1951–58. Spender was president of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in 1964–70.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 692.

Stewart, (Sir) Frederick Harold

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–46 (Parramatta), Minister for Commerce (13 October 1932 – 9 November 1934) in the Lyons government. He served as Minister for Supply and Development (26 January 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for the Navy (13 November 1939 – 14 March 1940) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Health (26 April 1939 – 7 October 1941), Minister for Social Services (26 April 1939 – 7 October 1941), Minister for External Affairs (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments. Stewart founded Australian National Airways with Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 228.

Stirling, Alfred Thorpe

Private Secretary to Attorney-General, Robert Menzies (1934–36), Assistant External Affairs Officer in London (1936), External Affairs Officer in London (30 April 1937 – 12 July 1945). Stirling was High Commissioner in Ottawa (13 July 1945 – 12 January 1947), Minister in Washington (13 January 1947 – 10 April 1948), High Commissioner in Pretoria and Cape Town (23 August 1948 – 17 May 1950), Ambassador at The Hague (1950–6 March 1955), and Ambassador in Paris (20 May 1955 – 16 February 1959), in Manila (6 July 1959 – 14 August 1962), in Rome (25 September 1962 – 7 November 1967), and in Athens (7 May 1964 – 20 June 1965).

Street, Geoffrey Austin

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1934–40 (Corangamite), Minister for Defence (7 November 1938 – 13 November 1939) in the Lyons, Page and first Menzies governments, Minister for the Army (13 November 1939 – 13 August 1940) and Minister for Repatriation (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940) in the first Menzies government. Street was killed in the Canberra air disaster on 13 August 1940.

Swartz, (Sir) Reginald (Reg) William Colin

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–72 (Darling Downs). Minister for Repatriation (22 December 1961 – 22 December 1964), Minister for Health (21 November 1964 – 26 January 1966), Minister for Social Services (21 January 1965 – 22 February 1965) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Civil Aviation (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for National Development (12 November 1969 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister Assisting the Treasurer (13 February 1969 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 68.

Tangney, (Dame) Dorothy

Labor Party Senator for Western Australia 1943–68, first woman elected to the Senate.

Townley, Athol Gordon

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–63 (Denison). Minister for Air (9 July 1954 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Civil Aviation (9 July 1954 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Social Services (11 May 1951 – 9 July 1954), Minister for Defence Production (11 February 1958 – 23 April 1958), Minister for Immigration (24 October 1956 – 19 March 1958), Minister for Supply (10 February 1958 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Defence (10 December 1958 – 18 December 1963) in the second Menzies government.

White, (Sir) Brudenell

Chief of the General Staff, killed in Canberra air disaster on 13 August 1940.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 10.

Whitlam, Edward Gough

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1952–78 (Werriwa). Prime Minister (5 December 1972 – 11 November 1975), Minister for Foreign Affairs, Treasurer, Attorney-General, Minister for Customs and Excise, Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Shipping and Transport, Minister for Education and Science, Minister for Civil Aviation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Works, Minister for External Territories, Minister for Environment, Aborigines and the Arts (5 December 1972 – 19 December 1972) in his first 2-man ministry, Minister for Foreign Affairs (19 December 1972 – 6 November 1973), Minister for Environment (2 July 1975 – 14 July 1975).

Wilson, Alexander (Alex)

Country Party-Independent Member of the House of Representatives 1937–45 (Wimmera).

Wilson, (Sir) Harold

Labour Member of the House of Commons 1945–76 and Britain’s Prime Minister 1964–70 and 1974–76. Entered the House of Lords as Lord Wilson of Rievaulx in 1983.

Wilson, (Sir) Roland

Head of Treasury 1951–66.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 556.