Sir William McMahon, Australia’s 20th Prime Minister, died on March 31, 1988, at the age of 80.
McMahon served as the Liberal member for Lowe between 1949 and 1982. He was a long-serving minister, having assumed office under Robert Menzies in 1951. He was Treasurer in the governments of Harold Holt (1966-67) and John Gorton (1968-69). He was Minister for Foreign Affairs under Gorton (1969-71). He replaced Gorton as prime minister in March 1971.
McMahon was defeated by Gough Whitlam and the ALP in 1972, ending 23 years of coalition government.
McMahon stayed in parliament for another ten years before retiring in the final year of the Fraser government. He was Father of the House of Representatives and Father of the Parliament in his final years as a member.
The audio clip contains observations on McMahon by the Leader of the Opposition, John Howard.
- Listen to Howard (30s)
