Third Menzies ministry

27th ministry of the government of Australia

photograph of Menzies
Robert Menzies
photograph of Fadden
Arthur Fadden
Date formed28 October 1940Date dissolved28 August 1941People and organisationsMonarchGeorge VIGovernor-GeneralLord GowriePrime MinisterRobert MenziesNo. of ministers19Member partyUnited Australia–Country coalitionStatus in legislatureMinority governmentOpposition partyLaborOpposition leaderJohn CurtinHistoryElection(s)21 September 1940Legislature term(s)16thPredecessorSecond Menzies ministrySuccessorFadden ministry
This article is part of
a series about
Robert Menzies
  • Member for Kooyong (1934–1966)
  • 1938 Dalfram dispute
  • United Australia Party spills

Prime Minister of Australia

First term of government (1939–1941)

  • Liberal Party foundation

Second term of government (1949–1966)

Ministries

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Government of Australia
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The Third Menzies ministry (United Australia–Country Coalition) was the 27th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 12th Prime Minister, Robert Menzies. The Third Menzies ministry succeeded the Second Menzies ministry, which dissolved on 28 October 1940 following the federal election that took place in September. However, as a result of that election the government was reduced to minority status, and were forced to rely on the votes of independent crossbenchers Alexander Wilson and Arthur Coles to survive. The ministry was replaced by the Fadden ministry on 28 August 1941 following the resignation of Menzies.[1]

Percy Spender, who died in 1985, was the last surviving member of the Third Menzies ministry; Spender was also the last surviving minister of the First Menzies ministry, Second Menzies ministry, Fadden ministry, and the Fourth Menzies ministry. John McEwen was the last surviving Country minister.

Ministry

Party Minister Portrait Portfolio
United Australia Rt Hon Robert Menzies KC
(1894–1978)

MP for Kooyong
(1934–1966)

Country Hon Arthur Fadden
(1894–1973)

MP for Darling Downs
(1936–1949)

United Australia Rt Hon Billy Hughes (CH) KC
(1862–1952)

MP for North Sydney
(1922–1949)

United Australia Hon George McLeay
(1892–1955)

Senator for South Australia
(1935–1947)

United Australia Hon Sir Frederick Stewart
(1884–1961)

MP for Parramatta
(1931–1946)

United Australia Hon Harry Foll
(1890–1977)

Senator for Queensland
(1917–1947)

United Australia Hon Herbert Collett CMG DSO VD
(1877–1947)

Senator for Western Australia
(1933–1947)

  • Minister without portfolio administering War Service Homes (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Repatriation (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister for Repatriation (from 26 June 1941)
United Australia Hon Philip McBride
(1892–1982)

Senator for South Australia
(1937–1944)

United Australia Hon Percy Spender KC
(1897–1985)

MP for Warringah
(1937–1951)

  • Minister for the Army
Country Hon John McEwen
(1900–1980)

MP for Indi
(1937–1949)

  • Minister for Air
  • Minister for Civil Aviation
United Australia Hon Eric Harrison
(1892–1974)

MP for Wentworth
(1931–1956)

  • Minister for Trade and Customs
United Australia Hon Harold Holt
(1908–1967)

MP for Fawkner
(1935–1949)

  • Minister for Labour and National Service
  • Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research
Country Rt Hon Sir Earle Page GCMG
(1880–1961)

MP for Cowper
(1919–1961)

  • Minister for Commerce
Country Hon Thomas Collins
(1884–1945)

MP for Hume
(1931–1943)

United Australia Hon John Leckie
(1872–1947)

Senator for Victoria
(1935–1947)

  • Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Trade and Customs (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Labour and National Service (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister for Aircraft Production (from 26 June 1941)
  • Minister assisting the Minister for Munitions (from 26 June 1941)
Country Hon Larry Anthony
(1897–1957)

MP for Richmond
(1937–1957)

  • Minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Commerce (to 26 June 1941)
  • Minister for Transport (from 26 June 1941)
  • Minister assisting the Treasurer (from 26 June 1941)
  • Minister assisting the Minister for Commerce (from 26 June 1941)
Country Hon Joe Abbott MC
(1891–1965)

MP for New England
(1940–1949) (in Ministry from 26 June 1941)

  • Minister for Home Security (from 26 June 1941)
  • Minister assisting the Minister for Defence Co-ordination (from 26 June 1941)
  • Minister assisting the Minister for the Army (from 26 June 1941)
United Australia Hon Allan McDonald
(1888–1953)

MP for Corangamite
(1940–1953) (in Ministry from 26 June 1941)

United Australia Hon Eric Spooner
(1891–1952)

MP for Robertson
(1940–1943) (in Ministry from 26 June 1941)

Notes

  1. ^ "Ministries and Cabinets". Parliamentary Handbook. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2010.