John Gorton

John Gorton is considered the only senator ever to hold the position of the Prime Minister of Australia. He was the 19th Prime Minister of Australia who held the position from 10 January 1968 to 10 March 1971. His strong belief in commonwealth power over economic management made him so unpopular. The media portrayed him as an incompetent administrator and his own party removed him from power in 1971 by a vote of no confidence. He is the only Prime Minister to vote against himself in such a situation.
Personal life and Education
John Grey Gorton was born to John Rose Gorton and Alice Sinn on 9 September 1911 in Wellington, New Zealand. His schooling was at the Headford Preparatory School of Sydney Church of England Grammar and at Geelong Grammar School. Later he went to England for higher education. John Gorton returned to Australia graduating from Brasenose College, Oxford to look after his father's orchard at Kerang. In 1935 he married Bettina Brown, with whom he had three children- Joanna, Michael and Robin. He died on 19th May 2002 at Darlinghurst, Sydney.
John Gorton's Political Career
John Gorton began his political career with the Country Party and later switched to the Liberal Party. He was successful in four Senate elections, following a narrow defeat in the election to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1949. He served a variety of political roles including Minister for the Navy in Robert Menzies' Liberal-Country Party (CP) coalition government, Minister Assisting the Minister for External Affairs, Minister-in-charge of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Minister for the Interior, Minister for Works, Minister-in-charge of Commonwealth Activities in Education and Research and Minister for Education and Science. Honours bestowed upon him are the following: Privy Councillor (1968) Companion of Honour June (1971) GCMG (1977)
19th Prime Minister of Australia | ||
---|---|---|
In office | 10 January 1968– 10 March 1971 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II | |
Governor General | Lord Casey Sir Paul Hasluck | |
Deputy | John McEwen Doug Anthony | |
Preceded by | John McEwen | |
Succeeded by | William McMahon | |
Senator for Victoria | ||
In office | 22 February 1950– 1 February 1968 | |
Succeeded by | Ivor Greenwood | |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Higgins | ||
In office | 24 February 1968– 11 November 1975 | |
Preceded by | Harold Holt | |
Succeeded by | Roger Shipton | |
Personal details | ||
Born | 9 September 1911 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
Died | 19 May 2002 (aged 90) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
Political party | Liberal Party | |
Spouse(s) | Bettina Gorton | |
Children | Joanna Michael Robin | |
Alma mater | Brasenose College, Oxford | |
Religion | None (Agnosticism) | |
Military service | ||
Allegiance | Australia | |
Service/branch | Royal Australian Air Force | |
Years of service | 1940– 1944 | |
Rank | Flight Lieutenant | |
Unit | No. 61 Operational Training Unit RAF No. 232 Squadron RAF No. 77 Squadron RAAF | |
Battles/wars | World War II |
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