who was the prime minister of australia during wwii

On 5December, per Whitlam's request, Hasluck swore Whitlam and Labor's deputy leader, Lance Barnard, as an interim two-man government, with Whitlam as prime minister and Barnard as deputy prime minister. was prime minister after an interruption to their political career: lived for more than twenty years after leaving Parliament: This page was last edited on 12 July 2023, at 10:25. Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom. [49] At the end of April, Whitlam challenged Calwell for the leadership; though Calwell received two-thirds of the vote, he announced that if the party lost the upcoming election, he would not stand again for the leadership. He enjoyed the less pressured life of Western Australia and his political views gradually moderated. [3] The role of prime minister is not mentioned in the Constitution of Australia,[4] but the prime minister is still appointed by the governor-general who under Section 64 of the constitution has the executive power to appoint ministers of state. According to his biographer David Day, it had "a considerable psychological effect" on him, and likely exacerbated his natural shyness. "Had we held Rangoon, or had we even held the district, of Akyab", media magnate Keith Murdoch wrote in an editorial on 13 August 1943, "we would have held the door to the vast manpower of China and the jumping-off fields for the devastation of Japanese cities. Prime Ministers Of Australia Throughout History Curtin was born in Creswick, Victoria, on 8 January 1885. [148], On 14 October, Labor minister Rex Connor, mastermind of the loans scheme, was forced to resign when Khemlani released documents showing that Connor had made misleading statements. During World War II Australian Prime Minister John Curtin made the strategic decision to switch alliances from Britain to the United States as a way of securing military assistance in the Pacific . Whitlam and the ALP, with little internal dissension, stood on a platform calling for domestic reform, an end to conscription, and the withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam by 1July 1970. The two propositions failed to attract a majority of voters in any state, and were rejected by over 800,000 votes nationwide. But Britain's military and strategic focus on Europe in the early 20th century caused many Australians to worry about a Japanese invasion of our resource-rich continent. [40] Curtin cabled the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Churchill on 23 December, saying, "The fall of Singapore would mean the isolation of the Philippines, the fall of the Netherlands East Indies and attempts to smother all other bases. Under proportional representation, Labor could hold its three short-term seats in the next half-Senate election but, if Murphy's seat were also contested, Labor was unlikely to win four out of six. [8] In early 2012, she suffered a fall there, leading to her death in hospital at the age of 92 on 17 March of that year, a month short of the Whitlams' 70th wedding anniversary. Whitlam controversially stated in March "draft-dodging is not a crime" and that he would be open to a revaluation of the Australian dollar. [109], Whitlam travelled extensively as prime minister, and was the first Australian prime minister to visit China while in office. [67] The leadership campaign was conducted mostly by television, and Gorton appeared to have the visual appeal needed to keep Whitlam out of office. BBC - History - World Wars: Australia in World War One Robert Menzies and Kevin Rudd served two non-consecutive terms in office whilst Alfred Deakin and Andrew Fisher served three non-consecutive terms. Bjelke-Petersen finally convinced the legislature to elect a low-level union official, Albert Field, who had contacted his office and expressed a willingness to serve. [221] Pearson's contribution in particular was hailed as "one of the best political speeches of our time". 13 Squadron RAAF, based mainly on the Gove Peninsula, Northern Territory, flying Lockheed Ventura bombers. He remained involved in both sports throughout the remainder of his life, as an administrator and supporter. [24] He also stood (unsuccessfully) as the Labor candidate for Balaclava in the 1914 federal election. [128] Treasury officials had advised a series of tax and fee increases, ranging from excise taxes to the cost of posting a letter; their advice was mostly rejected by Cabinet. Gair's term would not expire until the following half-Senate election or upon a double dissolution election. [80] His body was returned to Perth on a RAAF Dakota escorted by a flight of nine fighter aircraft. Neville Chamberlain, in full Arthur Neville Chamberlain, (born March 18, 1869, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Englanddied November 9, 1940, Heckfield, near Reading, Hampshire), prime minister of the United Kingdom from May 28, 1937, to May 10, 1940, whose name is identified with the policy of " appeasement " toward Adolf Hitler 's Germany in the per. [83] Inflation was also at its highest rate since the early 1950s. Above all he was a man of grand vision with serious blind spots.[244]. [32], In the rough and tumble debate in the House of Representatives, Whitlam called fellow MHR Bill Bourke "this grizzling Quisling", Garfield Barwick (who, as High Court Chief Justice, played a role in Whitlam's downfall) a "bumptious bastard", and he said Bill Wentworth exhibited a "hereditary streak of insanity". Explore [36] In October 1941, Arthur Coles and Alexander Wilson, the two independent MPs who had been keeping the Coalition in office since 1940 (first under Menzies, then under Fadden), joined forces with Labor in defeating Fadden's budget and bringing the government down. [1][2] Thirty-one people have served in the position since the office was created in 1901. He became state secretary of the Timberworkers' Union in 1911 and federal president in 1914. The governor-general is appointed by the monarch of Australia based on the advice of the incumbent prime minister. During World War I he was a militant anti-conscriptionist; he was briefly imprisoned in December 1916 for refusing to attend a compulsory medical examination,[23] even though he knew he would fail the exam due to his very poor eyesight. [10] He sought to make a career in the ALP there, but local Labor supporters were sceptical of Whitlam's loyalties, given his privileged background. Whitlam's campaign team disbelieved the results at first, but additional polling returns clearly showed that the electorate had turned against Labor. Joseph Cook was prime minister from June 24, 1913. John Curtin became the 14th Prime Minister of Australia on 7 October 1941, 8 weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [200] The two subsequently campaigned together in support of the 1999 Australian republic referendum. Calwell's statement was called "crazy and irresponsible" by Prime Minister Menzies, and the incident reduced public support for the ALP. [84] Curtin's 9 years and 277 days as leader of the federal ALP would remain a record until it was surpassed by Gough Whitlam in 1975. [86] Curtin proposed to her in Melbourne in 1915,[87] and they were married in Perth on 21 April 1917. John Curtin | National Museum of Australia The Malayan Emergency 1948 to 1960. [208], Whitlam joined three other former prime ministers in February 2008 in returning to Parliament to witness the Federal Government apology to the Aboriginal Stolen Generations by the then prime minister Kevin Rudd. Barnard held this office, and exempted everyone. During World War II he served overseas as a . [37] He became the first and only prime minister to come from Western Australia. Curtin had refused to so much as set foot inside a Catholic church throughout his adult life, not even to attend the weddings of friends. Australia and the Second World War - Anzac Portal Five Australian Prime Ministers dine, 1942. The 1944 Australian Referendum contained one referendum question: "Do you approve of the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'Constitution Alteration (Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights) 1944'?" [132] Whitlam appointed Murphy anyway. While the Loans Affair did not result in a loan,[130] according to author and Whitlam speechwriter Graham Freudenberg, "The only cost involved was the cost to the reputation of the Government. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The ALP campaign concentrated on the issue of Whitlam's dismissal and did not address the economy until its final days. [188] [114] Liberal state governments in New South Wales and Victoria were re-elected by large margins in 1973. By that time Fraser was confident of victory and content to sit back, avoid specifics and make no mistakes. His father, John Curtin Sr., had arrived in South Australia in 1873, with two of his brothers. The Whitlams were visiting China at the time of the Tangshan earthquake in July 1976, though they were staying in Tianjin, 140 kilometres (90mi) away from the epicentre. [51] Curtin prevailed, although he agreed that the main body of the 6th Division could garrison Ceylon. ranked as one of Australia's greatest prime ministers, an independent nation with a separate Crown, American-British-Dutch-Australian Command, White Paper on Full Employment in Australia, Military history of Australia during World War II, "Who were Australia's best prime ministers? Edward Gough Whitlam[a] AC QC (11 July 1916 21 October 2014) was the 21st prime minister of Australia, serving from 1972 to 1975. [22], In 1935, when Scullin resigned as Labor Leader, Curtin stood in the election to replace him, although he was not expected to win. I shall tender no advice for an election of either House or both Houses until this constitutional issue is settled. [43] Calwell dismissed proposals that the ALP leader and deputy leader should be entitled to membership of the party's conference (or on its governing 12-person Federal Executive, which had two representatives from each state), and instead ran successfully for one of the conference's Victoria seats. [21] Labor historian Graeme Osborne describes Curtin's stance as "anticipating Lenin in the view that imperialism was capitalism in its last stage". John Curtin (8 January 1885 5 July 1945) was an Australian politician who served as the 14th prime minister of Australia, from 1941 until his death in 1945, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Before the matter could be heard, Whitlam left for Queensland, where he campaigned intensively for the ALP candidate Rex Patterson in the Dawson by-election. [61] Labor also pledged to abolish the Senate; this goal was not erased from the party platform until 1979, after Whitlam had stepped down as leader. He held the office twice, from 1939 to 1941 and from 1949 to 1966. [105], The Whitlam government abolished the death penalty for federal crimes. [62], Soon after taking the leadership, Whitlam reorganised the ALP caucus, assigning portfolios and turning the Labor frontbench into a shadow cabinet. Labor campaigned under the slogan "It's Time", an echo of Menzies' successful 1949 slogan, "It's Time for a Change". A number of writers have compared Curtin's experiences with those of. Robert Menzies (1894-1978) was prime minister of Australia twice, during the first years of World War II and again between December 1949 and January 1966.. Menzies was born into a middle-class family in Jeparit in rural Victoria. [65], At the end of 1967, Holt vanished while swimming in rough seas near Melbourne; his body was never recovered. [239] According to journalist and author Paul Kelly, who penned two books on the crisis, Whitlam "achieved a paradoxical triumph: the shadow of the dismissal has obscured the sins of his government".[197]. Chifley was sworn in as Prime Minister on [224] Jerusalem was followed by a flypast of four RAAF F/A-18 Hornets in missing man formation. [95] Seven men were at that time incarcerated for refusing conscription; Whitlam arranged for their liberation. Burma-Thailand Railway and Hellfire Pass 1942 to 1943. Kokoda Track 1942 to 1943. [171] In early November 1975, the Australian Financial Review wrote that Richard Lee Stallings, a former CIA officer, had been channelling money to Anthony, who was a close friend. John Curtin (8 January 1885 - 5 July 1945) was an Australian politician who served as the 14th prime minister of Australia, from 1941 until his death in 1945, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). John Curtin Australia's 14th Prime Minister John Curtin 7 October 1941 to 5 July 1945 A former newspaper editor, John Curtin was best known for his foray into politics, where he established a career. The position was located in the new national capital of Canberra, and the Whitlam family moved there. The Coalition senators remained united, though several became increasingly concerned about the tactic of blocking supply. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [75] The Labor leader flew to Papua New Guinea and pledged himself to the independence of what was then under Australian trusteeship. "[106] The Curtin government's October 1942 enactment of the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942, reversing the stance of four previous governments, marked Australian legal independence. Whitlam immediately moved a successful no confidence motion against Fraser in the House. The ALP won almost two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives at the 1943 election, which remains a party record. We shall maintain them. [56] Whitlam resigned the leadership, demanding a vote of confidence from caucus. The next month, Australia granted independence to Papua New Guinea. [62][63] In 1943, the Universities Commission was established to exempt students from war service to undertake or continue university studies and to assist those students by exempting them from fees and, subject to a means test, by providing them with living allowances. Immediately after his meeting with Whitlam, Kerr commissioned Fraser as caretaker Prime Minister, on the assurance he could obtain supply and would then advise Kerr to dissolve both houses for election. [26] While in the service, he began his political activities, distributing literature for the Australian Labor Party during the 1943 federal election and urging the passage of the "Fourteen Powers" referendum of 1944, which would have expanded the powers of the federal government. Curtin attended the local state schools, ending his formal education in 1898 at the age of 13. [210] Some rankings have put Whitlam high on the list of Australia's better prime ministers. Year 8 Geography Questions In what ways did the war influence the Australian Government's decision to increase its immigration program in 1947? [191], Whitlam was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1978,[193] and resigned from Parliament on 31 July of the same year. She was the sister of one of his police colleagues. Whitlam indicated he had warned Peters' colleague, Greg Shackleton, who was also killed, that the Australian government could not protect them in East Timor and that they should not go there. Before this speech, the Australian response to the war effort had been troubled by attitudes swinging from "she'll be right" to gossip-driven panic. He was successful in reducing union influence in the party, though he was never able to give the rank and file a direct vote in selecting the executive. He settled in the suburb of Cottesloe where his residence is now heritage-listed as "John Curtin's House". Australia moved closer to New Zealand, and suggested a lesser role for the United States after the war. [13] Curtin was enrolled in the local state school, as a Catholic school had not yet been established. The Age printed a cartoon by Peter Nicholson showing the Whitlams huddled together in bed with Margaret Whitlam saying, "Did the earth move for you too, dear?" [162] Kerr instead told Whitlam he had terminated his commission as prime minister, and handed him a letter to that effect. Ross McMullin, who wrote an official history of the ALP, notes that Whitlam remains greatly admired by many Labor supporters because of his efforts to reform Australian government, and his inspiring leadership. [166], Kerr refused to receive Scholes, keeping him waiting for more than an hour. Andrew Fisher, Labour prime minister from 1914 to 1916, declared that Australia would support Britain to 'the last man and the last shilling'. The term "widow" included de facto widows who had lived with the deceased spouse for at least three years prior to his death and had been maintained by him. The Coalition was reduced to only 19 seats nationwide, including only one west of Broken Hill. Four of the five Prime Ministers who led Australia [101] Other social security benefits were significantly increased, while child endowment was liberalised, a scheme of vocational training for invalid pensioners was set up, and pensions extended to cover Aborigines. The party's actions, such as its abandonment of the White Australia policy, gained favourable media attention. [87] Labor was so dominant in the campaign that some of Whitlam's advisers urged him to stop joking about McMahon; people were feeling sorry for him. Whitlam trebled Lazzarini's majority in a 12 per cent swing to Labor. Whitlam survived the expulsion vote by a margin of only two, gaining both Queensland votes. Curtin insisted that it return to Australia. [118] The government and the opposition each had 29 Senators with two seats held by independents. East Room 5:01 P.M. EDT PRIME MINISTER MORRISON: Well, good morning from Australia. The John Curtin Hotel in Carlton, Victoria is named after Curtin. He was the longest-serving federal leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Create your account. [190] Fraser called an election for 10 December. He is frequently ranked as one of Australia's greatest prime ministers.[1][2][3][4]. He defeated Cairns for the leadership in an unexpectedly close 3832 vote. His funeral was attended by seven Australian prime ministers.[215]. Corrections? [91] A Catholic priest called at The Lodge as Curtin lay dying, but he was turned away. Queensland senator and former DLP leader Vince Gair signalled his willingness to leave the Senate for a diplomatic post. At age six, Gough began his education at Chatswood Church of England Girls' School (early primary schooling at a girls' school was not unusual for small boys at the time). [140], Whitlam had offered Barnard a diplomatic post and in early 1975 Barnard agreed to this, triggering a by-election in his Tasmanian electorate of Bass. The prime minister is appointed by the monarch, who is advised by the governor-general. "[131], Whitlam appointed Senator Murphy to the High Court, even though Murphy's Senate seat would not be up for election if a half-Senate election were held. This meant even longer journeys for his older children to attend school, since neither electorate had a high school at the time, and they attended school in Sydney. [103] To give himself greater control over the Cabinet, in January 1973 Whitlam established five Cabinet committees (with the members appointed by himself, not the caucus) and took full control of the Cabinet agenda. [226] The two-hour service, attended by 1,000 invited guests and 900 others, was screened to thousands outside the Hall, as well as in Cabramatta and Melbourne, and broadcast live by ABC television. The referendum was defeated, receiving a majority only in Western Australia and South Australia. At 2:34pm, ten minutes after supply had been secured, Fraser rose in the House and announced he was prime minister. [90] Historically, when Labor won government, the parliamentary caucus chose the ministers, with the party leader having the power only to assign portfolios. [44] Labor did badly in a 1964 by-election in the Tasmanian electorate of Denison, and lost seats in the 1964 half-Senate election. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. It was largely a cosmetic defect, but he was quite self-conscious about it. Soon afterward, Whitlam advised Hasluck that he could form a government with his new majority. [11], Curtin began his education at St Francis' Boys School, a Christian Brothers school attached to St Francis' Church. [77] McMahon attacked Whitlam for the visit and claimed that the Chinese had manipulated him. John Curtin became Prime Minister on 7 October 1941. Edward Gough Whitlam [a] AC QC (11 July 1916 - 21 October 2014) was the 21st prime minister of Australia, serving from 1972 to 1975. State Memorial Service, Sydney Town Hall, 5, Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Alleged CIA involvement in the Whitlam dismissal, "Now Whitlam rages against the dying of the light", "Freda Whitlam: educationalist passionate about her girls", "It's time to view Gough Whitlam's life as an open book", "Digital Collections Books Item 1: Mr. Calwell and the Faceless Men", Events and issues that made the news in 1966, "Election Summary: Victoria Federal Election 2007", Events and issues that made the news in 1972, Gough Whitlam: Five ways he changed Australia, "Influx of boat people disturbing to Australians", Terrorist threat heightened, former spy boss says, Whitlam dismissal: Queen, CIA played no role in 1975, http://www.nla.gov.au/amad/nla.oh-vn1791129?searchTerm=robert+hope, "Fearing the sack, John Kerr's dismissal of Gough Whitlam was a 'coup', "The line's broken: Malcolm Fraser mourns his friend Gough Whitlam", "Australia poised to say no to republican dream", "Latham, Gough Whitlam split a bitter one", "Shiver me timbers! [43] The speech nevertheless achieved the effect of drawing attention to the possibility that Australia would be invaded by Japan. [7] Two prime ministers also lost their role in a double dissolution election, a snap election where the entire Senate stands for re-election rather than the typical half to resolve deadlocks between the two houses. He told McEwen, "The time will come when you may interrupt me." [97] The duumvirate barred racially discriminatory sports teams from Australia, and instructed the Australian delegation at the United Nations to vote in favour of sanctions on apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia. Whitlam was able to reconstruct the Victoria party organisation against the will of its leaders, and the reconstituted state party proved essential to victory in the 1972 election. He gave over control of Australian forces to MacArthur, directing Australian commanders to treat MacArthur's orders as if they came from the Australian Government. [6] Curtin was the oldest of four children his younger brother George was born in 1887, followed by his younger sisters Molly and Hannah in 1889 and 1891. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He reached the rank of Flight Lieutenant. [126] Unease within the ALP led to Barnard's defeat when Jim Cairns challenged him for his deputy leadership. Instead of making a policy speech to keynote his campaign, Whitlam made a speech attacking his opponents and calling 11 November "a day which will live in infamy". [98] It also ordered the Australian Army Training Team home from Vietnam, ending Australia's involvement in the war; most troops, including all conscripts, had been withdrawn by McMahon. The government's refusal to formalise this and other "advice" was a factor justifying Kerr's resort to advice from elsewhere. This gave Labor an outside chance of controlling the Senate, at least until 1July 1976. [204] Whitlam called his support of Latham to enter federal politics as one of his "lingering regrets". According to early Whitlam biographers Laurie Oakes and David Solomon, this cool response put the Coalition government on notice that the new Member for Werriwa would be a force to be reckoned with. He is the only prime minister to represent a constituency in Western Australia. [16] In 1932, Whitlam's father transferred him to Canberra Grammar School where, at the Speech Day ceremony that year, he was awarded a prize by the Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs. [85] Whitlam pledged an end to conscription and the release of individuals who had refused the draft; an income tax surcharge to pay for universal health insurance; free dental care for students; and renovation of ageing urban infrastructure. Background indicates caretaker prime minister, This timeline shows most of the early life, the political career and death of each prime minister from 1901. Whitlam became deputy leader of the Labor Party in 1960, and in 1967, after the retirement of Arthur Calwell, was elected leader of the party and became the Leader of the Opposition. Freudenberg alleges that 1,026 Vietnamese refugees entered Australia in the final eight months of the Whitlam government, and only 399 in 1976 under Fraser. Robert Menzies: during office [5], Federal elections must be held every three years, although prime ministers may call elections early. These were interspersed with periods of unemployment. In honour of Whitlam, the Australian Electoral Commission created the Division of Whitlam in the House of Representatives in place of the Division of Throsby, with effect from the 2016 election. [164], In the confusion, Whitlam and his advisers did not immediately tell any Senate members of the dismissal, with the result that when the Senate convened at 2:00pm, the appropriation bills were rapidly passed, with the ALP senators assuming the Opposition had given in. Oral History Project, 1988. [93] On the day that Singapore fell, Curtin made time to speak at the re-consecration of a church, because, The fatherhood of God was closely related to the brotherhood of man. [94] Near the end of his life, he asked his friend Hector Harrison, the Minister of the Presbyterian Church by Parliament, to conduct a Christian memorial service on his death.
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