While the official role of Prime Minister is not referred to anywhere in the Australian Constitution, the position of Prime Minister of Australia is one of great power and prestige. The Prime Minister is a Member of the House of Representatives and leads the majority party or parties in the House.
Sixteen different Prime Ministers served at Old Parliament House from 1927 to 1988. Sir Robert Menzies was the longest serving, with a total of over sixteen years in the role (in two separate terms), while Frank Forde was the shortest serving, holding the job for only eight days!
Information about Australian Prime Ministers and their achievements can be found at our Research resources page.
Australian Prime Ministers who served here
- Stanley Melbourne Bruce (Nationalist Party) 9 February 1923-22 October 1929
- James Scullin (Australian Labor Party) 22 October 1929-6 January 1932
- Joseph Lyons (United Australia Party) 6 January 1932-7 April 1939
- Earle Page (Country Party) 7 April 1939-26 April 1939
- Robert Menzies (United Australia Party) 26 April 1939-29 August 1941
- Arthur Fadden (Country Party) 29 August 1941-7 October 1941
- John Curtin (Australian Labor Party) 7 October 1941-6 July 1945
- Frank Forde (Australian Labor Party) 6 July 1945-13 July 1945
- Ben Chifley (Australian Labor Party) 13 July 1945-19 December 1949
- Robert Menzies (Liberal Party of Australia) 19 December 1949-26 January 1966
- Harold Holt (Liberal Party of Australia) 26 January 1966-19 December 1967
- John McEwen (Country Party) 18 December 1967-9 January 1968
- John Gorton (Liberal Party of Australia) 10 January 1968-10 March 1971
- William McMahon (Liberal Party of Australia) 10 March 1971-5 December 1972
- Gough Whitlam (Australian Labor Party) 5 December 1972-11 November 1975
- Malcolm Fraser (Liberal Party of Australia) 11 November 1975 -11 March 1983
- Bob Hawke (Australian Labor Party) 11 March 1983-20 December 1991