10 Famous Australian Politicians

10 Famous Australian Politicians

The Land Down Under prides itself on tropical beaches, marine reserves, lush rainforests, and simply a natural glory. Besides nature and its landscapes, Australia has a rich heritage and part of it is political history.

These 10 prominent Australian politicians have left imprints that live on throughout history. The likes of John Curtin left a legacy for leading the country during World War II. Julia Gillard set a record as the first woman to occupy the office of Prime Minister in Australia. Take a look at the rest.

Here are the 10 Famous Australian Politicians.

1. John Curtin

National Library of Australia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He started his political career in the Australian parliament which he joined in 1928 and held his seat until 1931. Again from 1934 up to 1945. During this period, he doubled as the Leader of the Labor Party starting 1935 up to 1945. He also held the position of opposition leader from 1935 until 1941.

Moreover, he took over office as prime minister in 1941 and served in such capacity up to his demise in 1945. During his time as prime minister, he also served as the Minister for Defence (1941 to 1945).

John Curtin’s reign as Prime Minister was notable because he led the country during World War II, especially the climax of the Pacific War. He was born in Creswick on 8 January 1885 and he passed away aged 60 years in Canberra on 5 July 1945.

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2. Julia Gillard

Blue Mountains Library from Blue Mountains, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

She is a prominent female Australian politician who became the first woman to hold the office of the prime minister in the nation. She joined the House of Representatives in 1998 as the representative for the Lalor division until 2013. Additionally, while in parliament Gillard had the chance to serve as the deputy leader as well as the leader of the opposition between 2003 and 2007.

From 2007 to 2010 she assumed office as the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. Thus she headed three dockets simultaneously. She was Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Education.

She assumed office as prime minister in 2010 and served until 2013. At the same time, she was the leader of the country’s Labor Party. She was born in Wales on 29 September 1961 but her family moved to Australia during her childhood in 1966.

3. Robert Menzies

A famed Australian politician who started his political career at the state level in 1928. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council where he served for one year (1928 to 1929). He won a seat in Victoria’s lower house of legislature in 1929 and was there up to 1934.

What’s more, he became the Attorney-General of Victoria from 1932 up to 1934. During this time, he also doubled as the Deputy Premier of Victoria State. He joined the federal parliament in 1934 representing Kooyong division up to 1966.

Menzies is credited with leading a few political parties. Such as the United Australia Party from 1939 to 1941, and from 1943 to 1945. He also led the Liberal Party from 1945 to 1966.

In 1939, he rose to his highest political office as the Prime Minister of Australia. He was at the helm of power up to 1941. From 1943 he became the leader of the opposition until 1949. He then returned for a second term as prime minister until 1966. He grew up in Victoria where he was born on 20 December 1894. His demise took place in the same state on 15 May 1978 at the age of 83.

4. Kevin Rudd

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website – www.dfat.gov.au, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Australian politician is headlined for his service as prime minister from 2007 to 2010. He also served in the same position for a short term from June 2013 up to September 2013. He was also the Labor Party’s leader during both times he was prime minister.

Rudd entered the Australian political arena in 1998 when he won a seat in the House of Representatives. Hence he was Griffith’s representative until 2013. His other top political roles are leading the opposition from 2006 to 2007. Also, head of the Foreign Affairs docket from 2010 to 2012.

His recent appointment is the Ambassador of Australia to the United States office which he assumed in March 2023. He was born in Australia’s coastal zone Queensland on 21 September 1957.

5. Gough Whitlam

He joined the House of Representatives in 1952 and left Parliament in 1978. His parliamentary service saw him become the Labor Party second in command from 1960 to 1967. He was handed over power as the party’s leader in 1967 and held the position until 1977.

Furthermore, he steered the opposition as its leader from 1967 to 1972. He returned to the same duty in 1975 and served until 1977.

His highest political office came in 1972 when he took office as the Prime Minister of Australia serving until 1975. At the time, he also led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1972 to 1973. He was born in Australia on 11 July 1916 and passed on at the age of 98 in his country on 21 October 2014.

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6. Tony Abbott

U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Abbott is a household name in the Australian political space. He is celebrated as the Prime Minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015. He joined the Australian Parliament in 1994 and served as a legislator until 2019.

Subsequently, he was the minister of various dockets including Employment Services, and Health and Ageing ministries. He was also the opposition leader from 2009 to 2013. As well as the Liberal Party leader from 2009 to 2015.

The former prime minister shares British descent from his father and Australian roots from his mother. Thus he was born in London on 4 November 1957 and his family relocated to Sydney when he was a child.

7. Bob Hawke

© Commonwealth of Australia 2011, CC BY-SA 3.0 AU, via Wikimedia Commons

Hawke’s acclaim in the Australian political space was affirmed when he served in the position of prime minister from 1983 until 1991. He is also respected for leading the Labor Party when he was prime minister.

His other outstanding political positions were serving as a Member of the Australian Parliament from 1980 up to 1992. He also led the opposition for about one month starting February 1983 until 11 March 1983. He was raised in South Australia where he was also born on 9 December 1929. He died aged 89 years in New South Wales on 16 May 2019.

8. Harold Holt

This Australian politician is remembered for serving in top-ranking political positions in the country. He started his political journey in the House of Representatives in 1935. He remained a member of the Australian parliament until his disappearance happened in 1967.

To add on, his regime as a parliamentarian saw him secure highly regarded government positions. For instance, he was the leader of the House (1956 to 1966) and Treasurer of Australia (1958 to 1966). He also led the Liberal Party from 1966 to 1967 after long service as its deputy from 1956 to 1966.

Holt held ministerial responsibilities such as serving as the Minister for Labour and National Service from 1949 to 1958. His final top position was the prime minister’s office. He assumed the office in 1966 until 1967 when his disappearance was reported. Thus his presumed death followed after that. He was born in New South Wales on 5 August 1908 and died at 59 years in Victoria, on 17 December 1967.

9. Malcolm Turnbull

Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 3.0 AU, via Wikimedia Commons

He set foot in the Australian Parliament in 2004 and was a legislator up to 2018. His term in parliament was defined by service in different capacities. He led several ministries including the Ministry for Communications from 2013 to 2015.

On top of that, he was tasked to lead the opposition from 2008 to 2009. In 2015 he became leader of the Liberal Party for the second time until 2018. He served as its leader first from 2008 to 2009. Turnbull rose to the position of Prime Minister of Australia in 2015 and served in the position up to 2018. He was born in Sydney on 24 October 1954.

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10. Scott Morrison

The Prime Minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022 is held in high regard in the Australian political arena. He is celebrated as Cook’s representative in the Australian parliament since 2007. Over and above that, he was the leader of the Liberal Party during his entire tenure as prime minister. He was born in Sydney on 13 May 1968.

These famous Australian politicians have helped shape the political stage of Australian politics. They have brought reforms and fought for better policies that promote equality, inclusivity, and stability in the country. They are also an inspiration to present and future political aspirants.