First Fraser ministry

See also: Fraser government

The first Fraser ministry (Liberal–National Country coalition) was the 50th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. The first Fraser ministry succeeded the Third Whitlam ministry, which dissolved on 11 November following the dismissal of the Whitlam government by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. As such, it was a caretaker ministry until a federal election could take place.^[1] To date, it is the last ministry not to be split between a Cabinet and outer ministry. In the event, the Coalition was ultimately elected on 13 December 1975, and this ministry was replaced by the second Fraser ministry on 22 December 1975.^[2]

First Fraser ministry
50th Ministry of Australia
Malcolm Fraser Doug Anthony
Date formed	11 November 1975
Date dissolved	22 December 1975
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Sir John Kerr
Prime Minister	Malcolm Fraser
Deputy Prime Minister	Doug Anthony
No. of ministers	15
Member party	Liberal–National Country coalition
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leader	Gough Whitlam
History
Outgoing election	13 December 1975
Legislature term	29th
Predecessor	Third Whitlam ministry
Successor	Second Fraser ministry

As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the First Fraser ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton, and McMahon governments. Tony Street was the last surviving Liberal member.

Ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Liberal	Hon Malcolm Fraser (1930–2015) MP for Wannon (1955–1983)		Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party
	National Country	Rt Hon Doug Anthony (1929–2020) MP for Richmond (1957–1984)		Deputy Prime Minister Leader of the National Country Party Minister for Overseas Trade
	Liberal	Hon Phillip Lynch (1933–1984) MP for Flinders (1966–1982)		Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Treasurer
	National Country	Hon Ian Sinclair (born 1929) MP for New England (1963–1998)		Deputy Leader of the National Country Party Minister for Agriculture Minister for Northern Australia
	Liberal	Hon Reg Withers (1924–2014) Senator for Western Australia (1968–1987)		Leader of the Government in the Senate Special Minister of State Minister for the Capital Territory Minister for the Media Minister for Tourism and Recreation Vice-President of the Executive Council
	Liberal	Hon Ivor Greenwood QC (1926–1976) Senator for Victoria (1968–1976)		Attorney-General Minister for Police and Customs
	Liberal	Hon Bob Cotton (1915–2006) Senator for New South Wales (1965–1978)		Minister for Manufacturing Industry Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs
	National Country	Hon Peter Nixon (1928–2025) MP for Gippsland (1961–1983)		Minister for Transport Postmaster-General
	Liberal	Hon Andrew Peacock (1939–2021) MP for Kooyong (1966–1994)		Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for the Environment
	Liberal	Hon Don Chipp (1925–2006) MP for Hotham (1969–1977)		Minister for Social Security Minister for Health Minister for Repatriation and Compensation
	Liberal	Hon James Killen (1925–2007) MP for Moreton (1955–1983)		Minister for Defence
	National Country	Hon Tom Drake-Brockman DFC (1919–1992) Senator for Western Australia (1959–1978)		Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Administrative Services
	Liberal	Hon John Carrick (1918–2018) Senator for New South Wales (1971–1987)		Minister for Housing and Construction Minister for Urban and Regional Development
	Liberal	Hon Tony Street (1926–2022) MP for Corangamite (1966–1984)		Minister for Labour and Immigration
	Liberal	Hon Margaret Guilfoyle (1926–2020) Senator for Victoria (1971–1987)		Minister for Education

See also

• Second Fraser ministry
• Third Fraser ministry
• Fourth Fraser ministry