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Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia

Home | Historical Information on the Australian Parliament | Cabinets

Cabinets

With the swearing in of the Menzies Ministry on 11.1.1956, the practice was introduced whereby the Cabinet comprised some but not all members of the ministry. This practice was continued until the resignation of the McMahon Ministry on 5.12.1972.

When the Whitlam Ministry assumed office on 5.12.1972, all members of the ministry sat as members of the Cabinet, thus reverting to the original practice which existed prior to 1956.

With the swearing in of the Fraser Ministry on 22.12.1975, the practice was reintroduced whereby the Cabinet comprised some but not all members of the ministry. The practice has been continued by all subsequent ministries.

1. Menzies Cabinet 11.1.1956 – 10.12.1958
Menzies, the Rt Hon. Robert Gordon, CH, QC
Fadden, the Rt Hon. Sir Arthur William, KCMG
Harrison, the Rt Hon. Sir Eric John, KCVO (to 24.10.1956)
Holt, the Rt Hon. Harold Edward
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
Casey, the Rt Hon. Richard Gardiner, CH, DSO, MC
McBride, the Hon. Sir Philip Albert Martin, KCMG
O’Sullivan, Senator the Hon. Neil
Spicer, Senator the Hon. John Armstrong, QC (to 14.8.1956)
Spooner, Senator the Hon. William Henry, MM
Townley, the Hon. Athol Gordon
Hasluck, the Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
Beale, the Hon. Howard, QC (from 24.10.1956 to 10.2.1958)
McMahon, the Hon. William (from 18.10.1956)
Paltridge, Senator the Hon. Shane Dunne (from 11.2.1958)
2. Menzies Cabinet 10.12.1958 – 18.12.1963
Menzies, the Rt Hon. Sir Robert Gordon, KT, CH, QC
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
Holt, the Rt Hon. Harold Edward
Casey, the Rt Hon. Richard Gardiner, CH, DSO, MC (to 4.2.1960)
Spooner, Senator the Hon. William Henry, MM
Townley, the Hon. Athol Gordon
Hasluck, the Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
McMahon, the Hon. William
Paltridge, Senator the Hon. Shane Dunne
Davidson, the Hon. Charles William, OBE
Downer, the Hon. Alexander Russell
Barwick, the Hon. Sir Garfield Edward John, QC
Adermann, the Hon. Charles Frederick (from 4.2.1960)
3. Menzies Cabinet 18.12.1963 – 26.1.1966
Menzies, the Rt Hon. Sir Robert Gordon, KT, CH, QC
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
Holt, the Rt Hon. Harold Edward
Spooner, Senator the Hon. Sir William Henry, KCMG, MM (to 10.6.1964)
Hasluck, the Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
McMahon, the Hon. William
Barwick, the Hon. Sir Garfield Edward John, GCMG, QC (to 23.4.1964)
Adermann, the Hon. Charles Frederick
Paltridge, Senator the Hon. Shane Dunne (to 19.1.1966)
Wade, Senator the Hon. Harrie Walter (to 18.11.1964)
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Henty, Senator the Hon. Norman Henry Denham
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross (from 13.6.1964)
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC (from 13.6.1964)
Barnes, the Hon. Charles Edward (from 13.8.1965)
4. Holt Cabinet 26.1.1966 – 14.12.1966
Holt, the Rt Hon. Harold Edward
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
McMahon, the Hon. William
Hasluck, the Rt Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
Adermann, the Hon. Charles Frederick
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Henty, Senator the Hon. Norman Henry Denham
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC
Barnes, the Hon. Charles Edward
Gorton, Senator the Hon. John Grey
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
5. Holt Cabinet 14.12.1966 – 19.12.1967
Holt, the Rt Hon. Harold Edward
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Hasluck, the Rt Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Anthony, the Hon. John Douglas
Henty, Senator the Hon. Norman Henry Denham
Adermann, the Rt Hon. Charles Frederick (to 16.10.1967)
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC
Gorton, Senator the Hon. John Grey
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon (from 16.10.1967)
6. McEwen Cabinet 19.12.1967 – 10.1.1968
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Hasluck, the Rt Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Anthony, the Hon. John Douglas
Henty, Senator the Hon. Norman Henry Denham
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC
Gorton, Senator the Hon. John Grey
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
7. Gorton Cabinet 10.1.1968 – 28.2.1968
Gorton, the Rt Hon. John Grey
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Hasluck, the Rt Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Anthony, the Hon. John Douglas
Henty, Senator the Hon. Norman Henry Denham
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
8. Gorton Cabinet 28.2.1968 – 12.11.1969
Gorton, the Rt Hon. John Grey
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Hasluck, the Rt Hon. Paul Meernaa Caedwalla (to 11.2.1969)
Freeth, the Hon. Gordon (from 11.2.1969)
Fairhall, the Hon. Allen
Anthony, the Hon. John Douglas
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
Anderson, the Hon. Kenneth McColl
Fraser, the Hon. John Malcolm
9. Gorton Cabinet 12.11.1969 – 10.3.1971
Gorton, the Rt Hon. John Grey
McEwen, the Rt Hon. John (to 5.2.1971)
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Anthony, the Rt Hon. John Douglas
Hulme, the Hon. Alan Shallcross
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
Anderson, Senator the Hon. Kenneth McColl
Fraser, the Hon. John Malcolm (to 8.3.1971)
Swartz, the Hon. Reginald William Colin
Snedden, the Hon. Billy Mackie, QC
Bowen, the Hon. Nigel Hubert, QC
Nixon, the Hon. Peter James
10. McMahon Cabinet 10.3.1971 – 5.12.1972
McMahon, the Rt Hon. William
Anthony, the Rt Hon. John Douglas
Gorton, the Rt Hon. John Grey, CH (to 13.8.1971)
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
Anderson, Senator the Hon. Sir Kenneth McColl, KBE
Swartz, the Hon. Sir Reginald William Colin, KBE, ED
Snedden, the Rt Hon. Billy Mackie, QC
Bowen, the Hon. Nigel Hubert, QC
Fairbairn, the Hon. David Eric, DFC (from 22.3.1971)
Hulme, the Hon. Sir Alan Shallcross, KBE
Bury, the Hon. Leslie Harry Ernest (to 2.8.1971)
Nixon, the Hon. Peter James
Lynch, the Hon. Phillip Reginald (from 22.3.1971)
Fraser, the Hon. John Malcolm (from 20.8.1971)
11. Fraser Cabinet 22.12.1975 – 20.12.1977
Fraser, the Rt Hon. John Malcolm
Anthony, the Rt Hon. John Douglas
Lynch, the Hon. Phillip Reginald (to 19.11.1977)
Sinclair, the Hon. Ian McCahon
Withers, Senator the Hon. Reginald Greive
Greenwood, Senator the Hon. Ivor John, QC (to 8.7.1976)
Cotton, Senator the Hon. Robert Carrington
Street, the Hon. Anthony Austin
Nixon, the Hon. Peter James
Carrick, Senator the Hon. John Leslie
Peacock, the Hon. Andrew Sharp
Killen, the Hon. Denis James
Guilfoyle, Senator the Hon. Margaret Georgina Constance (from 8.7.1976)
12. Fraser Cabinet 20.12.1977 – 3.11.1980
Fraser, the Rt Hon. John Malcolm, CH
Anthony, the Rt Hon. John Douglas
Lynch, the Rt Hon. Phillip Reginald
Sinclair, the Rt Hon. Ian McCahon (to 27.9.1979 and from 19.8.1980)
Withers, Senator the Rt Hon. Reginald Greive (to 7.8.1978)
Street, the Hon. Anthony Austin
Nixon, the Hon. Peter James
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Carrick, Senator the Hon. John Leslie
Peacock, the Hon. Andrew Sharp
Killen, the Hon. Denis James
Guilfoyle, Senator the Hon. Margaret Georgina Constance (later Dame Margaret, DBE)
Robinson, the Hon. Eric Laidlaw
Viner, the Hon. Robert Ian
Durack, Senator the Hon. Peter Drew, QC (from 25.8.1978)
Hunt, the Hon. Ralph James Dunnet (from 8.12.1979)
13. Fraser Cabinet 3.11.1980 – 11.3.1983
Fraser, the Rt Hon. John Malcolm, CH
Anthony, the Rt Hon. John Douglas, CH
Lynch, the Rt Hon. Sir Phillip Reginald, KCMG (to 11.10.1982)
Sinclair, the Rt Hon. Ian McCahon
Carrick, Senator the Hon. John Leslie (later Sir John, KCMG)
Street, the Hon. Anthony Austin
Nixon, the Hon. Peter James
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Peacock, the Hon. Andrew Sharp (to 16.4.1981 and from 11.10.1982)
Killen, the Hon. Denis James (later Sir James, KCMG)
Guilfoyle, Senator the Hon. Dame Margaret Georgina Constance, DBE
Viner, the Hon. Robert Ian (to 7.5.1982)
Durack, Senator the Hon. Peter Drew, QC
Chaney, Senator the Hon. Frederick Michael
Fife, the Hon. Wallace Clyde (from 16.4.1981)
Macphee, the Hon. Ian Malcolm (from 7.5.1982)
Baume, Senator the Hon. Peter Erne (from 7.5.1982)
14. Hawke Cabinet 11.3.1983 – 13.12.1984
Hawke, the Hon. Robert James Lee, AC
Bowen, the Hon. Lionel Frost
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Grimes, Senator the Hon. Donald James
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Young, the Hon. Michael Jerome (to 14.7.1983 and from 21.1.1984)
West, the Hon. Stewart John (to 4.11.1983 and from 3.4.1984)
Walsh, Senator the Hon. Peter Alexander
Hayden, the Hon. William George
Ryan, Senator the Hon. Susan Maree
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Scholes, the Hon. Gordon Glen Denton
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney (from 14.7.1983)
Kerin, the Hon. John Charles (from 4.11.1983)
15. Hawke Cabinet 13.12.1984 – 24.7.1987
Hawke, the Hon. Robert James Lee, AC
Bowen, the Hon. Lionel Frost
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Grimes, Senator the Hon. Donald James (to 16.2.1987)
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Young, the Hon. Michael Jerome
Walsh, Senator the Hon. Peter Alexander
Hayden, the Hon. William George
Ryan, Senator the Hon. Susan Maree
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney
Kerin, the Hon. John Charles
West, the Hon. Stewart John
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Hurford, the Hon. Christopher John
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
16. Hawke Cabinet 24.7.1987 – 4.4.1990
Hawke, the Hon. Robert James Lee, AC
Bowen, the Hon. Lionel Frost
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Young, the Hon. Michael Jerome (to 12.2.1988)
Walsh, Senator the Hon. Peter Alexander
Hayden, the Hon. William George (to 17.8.1988)
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Kerin, the Hon. John Charles
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
West, the Hon. Stewart John
Brown, the Hon. John Joseph (to 18.12.1987)
Blewett, the Hon. Dr Neal
Ryan, Senator the Hon. Susan Maree (to 29.1.1988)
Duffy, the Hon. Michael John (from 19.1.1988)
Richardson, Senator the Hon. Graham Frederick (from 19.1.1988)
Holding, the Hon. Allan Clyde (from 15.2.1988 to 2.9.1988)
Morris, the Hon. Peter Frederick (from 2.9.1988)
Ray, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis (from 2.9.1988)
17. Hawke Cabinet 4.4.1990 – 20.12.1991
Hawke, the Hon. Robert James Lee, AC
Keating, the Hon. Paul John (to 3.6.1991)
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Blewett, the Hon. Dr Neal
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Duffy, the Hon. Michael John
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Kerin, the Hon. John Charles
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
Richardson, Senator the Hon. Graham Frederick
Ray, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis
Hand, the Hon. Gerard Leslie
Kelly, the Hon. Roslyn Joan
Cook, Senator the Hon. Peter Francis Salmon
Bolkus, Senator the Hon. Nick
Crean, the Hon. Simon Findlay (from 4.6.1991)
18. Keating Cabinet 20.12.1991 – 27.12.1991
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Blewett, the Hon. Dr Neal
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Duffy, the Hon. Michael John
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Kerin, the Hon. John Charles
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
Richardson, Senator the Hon. Graham Frederick
Ray, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis
Hand, the Hon. Gerard Leslie
Kelly, the Hon. Roslyn Joan
Cook, Senator the Hon. Peter Francis Salmon
Bolkus, Senator the Hon. Nick
Crean, the Hon. Simon Findlay
19. Keating Cabinet 27.12.1991 – 24.3.1993
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
Button, Senator the Hon. John Norman
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Duffy, the Hon. Michael John
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Blewett, the Hon. Dr Neal
Richardson, Senator the Hon. Graham Frederick (to 18.5.1992)
Ray, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis
Hand, the Hon. Gerard Leslie
Kelly, the Hon. Roslyn Joan
Cook, Senator the Hon. Peter Francis Salmon
Bolkus, Senator the Hon. Nick
Crean, the Hon. Simon Findlay
Griffiths, the Hon. Alan Gordon
Collins, Senator the Hon. Robert Lindsay
Humphreys, the Hon. Benjamin Charles (from 26.5.1992)
20. Keating Cabinet 24.3.1993 – 11.3.1996
Keating, the Hon. Paul John
Howe, the Hon. Brian Leslie
Evans, Senator the Hon. Gareth John, QC
Ray, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis
Dawkins, the Hon. John Sydney (to 23.12.1993)
Willis, the Hon. Ralph
Beazley, the Hon. Kim Christian
Richardson, Senator the Hon. Graham Frederick (to 25.3.1994)
Kelly, the Hon. Roslyn Joan (to 1.3.1994)
Cook, Senator the Hon. Peter Francis Salmon
Bolkus, Senator the Hon. Nick
Crean, the Hon. Simon Findlay
Griffiths, the Hon. Alan Gordon (to 23.1.1994)
Collins, Senator the Hon. Robert Lindsay
Baldwin, the Hon. Peter Jeremy
McMullan, Senator the Hon. Robert Francis
Brereton, the Hon. Laurence John
Lee, the Hon. Michael John
Lavarch, the Hon. Michael Hugh (from 27.4.1993)
Faulkner, the Hon. John Philip (from 25.3.1994)
Lawrence, the Hon. Dr Carmen Mary (from 25.3.1994)
21. Howard Cabinet 11.3.1996 – 21.10.1998
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Fischer, the Hon. Timothy Andrew
Costello, the Hon. Peter Howard
Anderson, the Hon. John Duncan
Hill, Senator the Hon. Robert
Alston, Senator the Hon. Richard Kenneth Robert
Reith, the Hon. Peter Keaston
Newman, Senator the Hon. Jocelyn Margaret
Downer, the Hon. Alexander John Gosse
Moore, the Hon. John Colinton
McLachlan, the Hon. Ian Murray, AO
Sharp, the Hon. John Randall (to 25.9.1997)
Wooldridge, the Hon. Michael Richard Lewis
Fahey, the Hon. John Joseph
Vanstone, Senator the Hon. Amanda Eloise (to 9.10.1997)
Kemp, the Hon. David Alistair (from 9.10.1997)
Vaile, the Hon. Mark Anthony James (from 9.10.1997)
Williams, the Hon. Daryl Robert, AM, QC (from 9.10.1997)
22. Howard Cabinet 21.10.1998 – 26.11.2001
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Fischer, the Hon. Timothy Andrew (to 20.7.1999)
Downer, the Hon. Alexander John Gosse
Costello, the Hon. Peter Howard
Anderson, the Hon. John Duncan
Hill, Senator the Hon. Robert
Alston, Senator the Hon. Richard Kenneth Robert
Reith, the Hon. Peter Keaston
Newman, Senator the Hon. Jocelyn Margaret (to 30.1.2001)
Moore, the Hon. John Colinton (to 30.1.2001)
Wooldridge, the Hon. Michael Richard Lewis
Fahey, the Hon. John Joseph
Kemp, the Hon. David Alistair
Minchin, Senator the Hon. Nicholas Hugh
Williams, the Hon. Daryl Robert, AM, QC
Vaile, the Hon. Mark Anthony James
Ruddock, the Hon. Philip Maxwell
Truss, the Hon. Warren Errol (from 20.7.1999)
Vanstone, Senator the Hon. Amanda Eloise (from 30.1.2001)
Abbott, the Hon. Anthony John (from 30.1.2001)
23. Howard Cabinet 26.11.2001 - 26.10.2004
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Anderson, the Hon. John Duncan
Costello, the Hon. Peter Howard
Vaile, the Hon. Mark Anthony James
Hill, Senator the Hon. Robert
Alston, Senator the Hon. Richard Kenneth Robert (to 7.10.2003)
Downer, the Hon. Alexander John Gosse
Abbott, the Hon. Anthony John
Ruddock, the Hon. Philip Maxwell
Kemp, the Hon. David Alistair (to 18.7.2004)
Williams, the Hon. Daryl Robert, AM, QC (to 18.7.2004)
Minchin, Senator the Hon. Nicholas Hugh
Truss, the Hon. Warren Errol
Vanstone, Senator the Hon. Amanda Eloise
Nelson, the Hon. Dr Brendan John
Patterson, Senator the Hon. Kay Christine Lesley
Macfarlane, the Hon. Ian Elgin
Andrews, the Hon. Kevin James (from 7.10.2003)
Coonan, Senator the Hon. Helen Lloyd (from 18.7.2004)
Campbell, Senator the Hon. Ian Gordon (from 18.7.2004)
24. Howard Cabinet 26.10.2004 - 3.12.2007
Howard, the Hon. John Winston
Anderson, the Hon. John Duncan (to 6.7.2005)
Costello, the Hon. Peter Howard
Vaile, the Hon. Mark Anthony James
Hill, Senator the Hon. Robert (to 20.1.2006)
Downer, the Hon. Alexander John Gosse
Abbott, the Hon. Anthony John
Ruddock, the Hon. Philip Maxwell
Minchin, Senator the Hon. Nicholas Hugh
Truss, the Hon. Warren Errol
Vanstone, Senator the Hon. Amanda Eloise (to 30.1.2007)
Nelson, the Hon. Dr Brendan John
Patterson, Senator the Hon. Kay Christine Lesley (to 27.1.2006)
Macfarlane, the Hon. Ian Elgin
Andrews, the Hon. Kevin James
Coonan, Senator the Hon. Helen Lloyd
Campbell, Senator the Hon. Ian Gordon (to 9.3.2007)
McGauran, the Hon. Peter John (from 6.7.2005)
Bishop, the Hon. Julie Isabel (from 27.1.2006)
Brough, the Hon. Malcolm Thomas (from 27.1.2006)
Hockey, the Hon. Joseph Benedict (from 30.1.2007)
Turnbull, the Hon. Malcolm Bligh (from 30.1.2007)
Ellison, the Hon. Christopher Martin (from 9.3.2007)
25. Rudd Cabinet 3.12.2007 -
Rudd, the Hon. Kevin Michael
Gillard, the Hon. Julia Eileen
Swan, the Hon. Wayne Maxwell
Evans, Senator the Hon. Christopher Vaughan
Faulkner, Senator the Hon. John Philip
Crean, the Hon. Simon Findlay
Smith, the Hon. Stephen Francis
Fitzgibbon, the Hon. Joel Andrew
Roxon, the Hon. Nicola Louise
Macklin, the Hon. Jennifer Louise
Tanner, the Hon. Lindsay James
Albanese, the Hon. Anthony Norman
Conroy, Senator the Hon. Stephen Michael
Carr, Senator the Hon. Kim John
Wong, Senator the Hon. Penelope Ying Yen
Garrett, the Hon. Peter Robert, AM
McClelland, the Hon. Robert Bruce
Ludwig, Senator the Hon. Joseph William
Burke, the Hon. Anthony Stephen
Ferguson, the Hon. Martin John, AM
 

 

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