Second Gorton ministry

See also: Gorton government

The Second Gorton ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 45th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 19th Prime Minister, John Gorton. The Second Gorton ministry succeeded the First Gorton ministry, which dissolved on 12 November 1969 following the federal election that took place in October. The ministry was replaced by the McMahon ministry on 10 March 1971 following the resignation of Gorton.^[1]

Second Gorton ministry
45th Ministry of Australia
Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck with first arrangement of newly appointed ministers to the Second Gorton ministry
Date formed	12 November 1969
Date dissolved	10 March 1971
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Sir Paul Hasluck
Prime Minister	John Gorton
Deputy Prime Minister	John McEwen Doug Anthony
No. of ministers	27
Member party	Liberal–Country coalition
Status in legislature	Coalition majority government
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leader	Gough Whitlam
History
Election	25 October 1969
Legislature term	27th
Predecessor	First Gorton ministry
Successor	McMahon ministry

As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the First Gorton ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, and McMahon governments, as well as the First Gorton and the First Fraser ministries. Tom Hughes was the last surviving Liberal minister, and Malcolm Fraser was the last surviving Liberal Cabinet minister.

Cabinet

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Liberal	Rt Hon John Gorton (CH) (1911–2002) MP for Higgins (1968–1975)		Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party
	Country	Rt Hon John McEwen CH (1900–1980) MP for Murray (1949–1971)		Deputy Prime Minister (to 5 February 1971) Leader of the Country Party (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Trade and Industry (to 5 February 1971)
	Liberal	Rt Hon William McMahon (1908–1988) MP for Lowe (1949–1982)		Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Minister for External Affairs (to 6 November 1970) Minister for Foreign Affairs (from 6 November 1970)
	Country	Hon Doug Anthony (1929–2020) MP for Richmond (1957–1984)		Deputy Prime Minister (from 5 February 1971) Leader of the Country Party (from 5 February 1971) Deputy Leader of the Country Party (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Primary Industry (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Trade and Industry (from 5 February 1971)
	Liberal	Hon (Sir) Alan Hulme (KBE) (1907–1989) MP for Petrie (1963–1972)		Postmaster-General Vice-President of the Executive Council
	Liberal	Hon Les Bury (1913–1986) MP for Wentworth (1956–1974)		Treasurer
	Country	Hon Ian Sinclair (born 1929) MP for New England (1963–1998)		Deputy Leader of the Country Party (from 5 February 1971) Minister for Shipping and Transport (to 5 February 1971) Minister assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Primary Industry (from 5 February 1971)
	Liberal	Hon (Sir) Ken Anderson (1909–1985) Senator for New South Wales (1953–1975)		Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister for Supply
	Liberal	Hon Malcolm Fraser (1930–2015) MP for Wannon (1955–1983)		Minister for Defence (to 8 March 1971)
	Liberal	Hon Reginald Swartz MBE (1911–2006) MP for Darling Downs (1949–1972)		Minister for National Development
	Liberal	Hon Billy Snedden QC (1926–1987) MP for Bruce (1955–1983)		Minister for Labour and National Service Leader of the House
	Liberal	Hon Nigel Bowen QC (1911–1994) MP for Parramatta (1964–1973)		Minister for Education and Science
	Country	Hon Peter Nixon (1928–2025) MP for Gippsland (1961–1983) (in Cabinet from 5 February 1971)		Minister for the Interior (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Shipping and Transport (from 5 February 1971)

Outer ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Country	Hon Charles Barnes (1901–1998) MP for McPherson (1958–1972)		Minister for External Territories
	Liberal	Hon Dr James Forbes MC (1923–2019) MP for Barker (1956–1975)		Minister for Health
	Liberal	Hon Dame Annabelle Rankin DBE (1908–1986) Senator for Queensland (1947–1971)		Minister for Housing
	Liberal	Hon Phillip Lynch (1933–1984) MP for Flinders (1966–1982)		Minister for Immigration Minister assisting the Treasurer
	Liberal	Hon Bill Wentworth (1907–2003) MP for Mackellar (1949–1977)		Minister for Social Services Minister in charge of Aboriginal Affairs under the Prime Minister
	Liberal	Hon Reg Wright (1905–1990) Senator for Tasmania (1950–1978)		Minister for Works Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry
	Liberal	Hon Don Chipp (1925–2006) MP for Hotham (1969–1977)		Minister for Customs and Excise
	Liberal	Hon Bob Cotton (1915–2006) Senator for New South Wales (1965–1978)		Chief Government Whip in the Senate (to 25 November 1969) Minister for Civil Aviation
	Country	Hon Tom Drake-Brockman DFC (1919–1992) Senator for Western Australia (1959–1978)		Minister for Air
	Country	Hon Mac Holten (1922–1996) MP for Indi (1958–1977)		Minister for Repatriation
	Liberal	Hon Tom Hughes QC (1923–2024) MP for Berowra (1969–1972)		Attorney-General
	Liberal	Hon James Killen (1925–2007) MP for Moreton (1955–1983)		Minister for the Navy
	Liberal	Hon Andrew Peacock (1939–2021) MP for Kooyong (1966–1994)		Minister for the Army Minister assisting the Prime Minister
	Country	Hon Ralph Hunt (1928–2011) MP for Gwydir (1969–1989) (in Ministry from 5 February 1971)		Minister for the Interior (from 5 February 1971)

See also

• First Gorton Ministry