Special Sub-Topic: Early Australian Politics Click Here To Play: Early Australian Politics

Who was the first Prime Minister of Australia, 1901-1902?

Sir Edmund Barton. Barton was a lawyer before he entered parliament. He won power as leader of the Protectionist party and remained Prime Minister for 18 months before resigning to become a High Court judge.

Who was the first ever Governor-General of Australia?

Earl Hopetoun & Hopetoun & John Hopetoun & Earl John Hopetoun. Hopetoun was born in England and attempted to have Barton's Political enemy, Sir William Lyne, appointed Prime Minister.

Who was the first ever Labor Prime Minister?

J.C. Watson.. Watson was elected in 1903 by Parliament after a vote of no confidence in then Prime Minister Alfred Deakin.

Who was the first Premier of the state of Western Australia (elected in 1890)?

Sir John Forrest. Forrest was also well known as an explorer. He later became a Federal minister.

Who was the Prime Minister of Australia at the outbreak of World War One (June 1914)?

Joseph Cook. Cook got voted out soon after the outbreak of war. The ALP's Andrew Fisher became Prime Minister. He later resigned due to bad health, and William Hughes took over. In 1917, Hughes broke away from the ALP and formed the conservative Nationalist Party.

Who succeeded William Hughes as Prime Minister in 1922?

Stanley M. Bruce. After the election, the Country Party withdrew support from Hughes, forcing him to resign and make way for Bruce.

Who was the Prime Minister at the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929?

James Scullin. Scullin was the first Labor Prime Minister since Hughes. He lost government in 1932 after an election defeat at the hands of defector Joseph Lyons.

What party was in government at the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929?

Australian Labor Party. James Scullin (mentioned in the previous section) was Prime Minister of this government.

Who was known as 'The Father of Federation' because of his efforts in convincing other state leaders to hold referenda about federation?

Sir Henry Parkes. Parkes worked for the federal cause all through the 1890s until his death.

Who was the first Prime Minister from the Free Trade Party (elected in 1904)?

George Reid. George Reid was the first and last Prime Minister from the Free Trade Party.