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10 Question World Quiz: Australian Prime Ministers | Government

What do you know about the Prime Ministers of Australia? All questions relate to Prime Ministers in the 20th Century.

A multiple-choice quiz by Parra_Chick. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Parra_Chick

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
311,693

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
665

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was Australia's first Prime Minister? Hint

Edmund Barton

Derek Barton

Edward Barton

Edmund Hillary

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these Prime Ministers of Australia held the office for the shortest term? Hint

Frank Forde

Holden Forde

Fred Forde

Ford Fiesta

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of these Prime Ministers was dismissed from office by the Governor-General? Hint

Margaret Whitlam

John Kerr

Gough Whitlam

Gough Gilmour

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these Prime Ministers served for the longest? He did so over two non-consecutive terms. Hint

Robert Williams

Hotel Menzies

William Roberts

Robert Menzies

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Question 5 of 10

5. When he disappeared while swimming at a Victorian beach on 17th December 1967, Harold Holt was a retired PM, having left parliament a few months earlier.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these was the youngest when he first became Prime Minister? Hint

Sherlock Watson

James Watson

Chris Watson

Chris James

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these was the oldest when he first became Prime Minister? Hint

Les McKeon

John McApple

John McEwen

James McEwan

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was Australia's 13th Prime Minister? Hint

Ben Chifley

Robert Menzies

Arthur Fadden

Francis Forde

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which former Prime Minister was literally caught with his pants down? Hint

Billy McMahon

Malcolm Fraser

Bob Hawke

William Morris Hughes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who was the only Australian Prime Minister from the Free Trade Party? Hint

Mark Reid

Georgia Reed

George Red

George Reid

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was Australia's first Prime Minister?

Answer: Edmund Barton

Edmund Barton held the office of Australian Prime Minister from the federation's formation on 1st January 1901 to 24th September 1903.

2. Which of these Prime Ministers of Australia held the office for the shortest term?

Answer: Frank Forde

Frank Forde was Australian Prime Minister for only 8 days! Forde was Deputy Prime Minister when Prime Minister John Curtin died on 5th July 1945, so the then Governor-General appointed Forde Prime Minister on 6th July 1945. There was a leadership ballot held on 13th July, which Forde contested but lost to Ben Chifley.

3. Which of these Prime Ministers was dismissed from office by the Governor-General?

Answer: Gough Whitlam

His famous quote after his dismissal on 11th November 1975, standing on the steps on the (old) Parliament House, was "Ladies and Gentlemen, well may we say God save the Queen, because nothing will save the Governor-General". John Kerr was the Governor-General in question.

4. Which of these Prime Ministers served for the longest? He did so over two non-consecutive terms.

Answer: Robert Menzies

Sir Robert Menzies has held the office of Prime Minister twice. The first time was from 26th April 1939 to 28th August 1941 (2 years, 4 months, 4 days), and the second from 19th December 1949 to 26th January 1966, a total of 16 years, 1 month and 8 days.

5. When he disappeared while swimming at a Victorian beach on 17th December 1967, Harold Holt was a retired PM, having left parliament a few months earlier.

Answer: False

Harold Holt was still in office when he went swimming at Cheviot Beach, although the surf was rough and the beach was well-known for dangerous rips. Many rumours and urban myths arose around the mystery of his disappearance, and his body was never found.

6. Which of these was the youngest when he first became Prime Minister?

Answer: Chris Watson

Chris Watson was 37 when he became Prime Minister on 27th April 1904. He held office until 18th August 1904.

7. Which of these was the oldest when he first became Prime Minister?

Answer: John McEwen

Deputy PM John McEwen was 67 when he became Prime Minister on 19th December 1967, following the presumed death of Harold Holt. He served until 10th January 1968 (a total of 23 days), when he was replaced by John Gorton, the newly elected leader of the Liberal Party in place of Holt.

8. Who was Australia's 13th Prime Minister?

Answer: Arthur Fadden

Arthur Fadden was Prime Minister from 26th August to 7th October, 1941.

9. Which former Prime Minister was literally caught with his pants down?

Answer: Malcolm Fraser

This amusing incident occurred in Memphis, USA, in 1986. Mr Fraser was found in the foyer of a hotel with a towel around him and seemingly confused as to where his pants were.

10. Who was the only Australian Prime Minister from the Free Trade Party?

Answer: George Reid

George Reid held office from 18th August 1904 to 5th July 1905. In 1910 he became Australia's first High Commissioner in London, England.

Source: Author Parra_Chick

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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