2014 is the 75th anniversary of Robert Menzies becoming prime minister for the first time. The intense and politically-charged term (1939-41) defined the man who would become Australia’s longest-serving prime minister.
To mark the occasion the Museum of Australian Democracy invited former prime minister and admirer of Menzies, John Howard, to guest curate this exhibition. Howard believes that, ‘in the long sweep of history’, Menzies was Australia’s greatest prime minister. In this exhibition Howard shares his reflections on and insights into Menzies’ first term, and the experiences that shaped Australia’s longest-serving prime minister.
An exhibition from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
An exhibition from the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
Bob Menzies became prime minister for the first time in the most difficult of circumstances. By April 1939 the world was sliding towards war. History had dealt him a cruel hand, which included many malcontents within his own ranks. On the eve of becoming prime minister he endured a savage personal attack from Earle Page, the Country Party leader. Also, he was saddled, in a senior position, with the 76-year-old and increasingly irascible former prime minister, Billy Hughes.
Nevertheless, Menzies set about defence preparations with vigour. He made a number of attempts to form an all-party government, but was always rebuffed by Labor. Party leader John Curtin was more amenable to this than others in ALP ranks.
Domestic tragedy weakened Menzies’ political position. On 13 August 1940 three ministers, Geoffrey Street, James Fairbairn and Henry Gullett, died in the crash of the Hudson Bomber flying them into Canberra. The loss was not only personal, but internally debilitating, as all three were Menzies’ trusted colleagues. The 1940 election came shortly afterwards and it resulted in a virtual dead heat, forcing Menzies to rely on two independents to govern.
Menzies rightly perceived that the embattled British were not giving enough attention to the potential danger of Japanese activities in the Far East, particularly concerning the defence of Singapore. He left for London in January 1941 to press Australia’s case, with only limited success. He admired Winston Churchill but clashed with him frequently when he sat in the British War Cabinet.
Although the national interest required Menzies’ absence overseas, being away for four months allowed those undermining him to remain active at home. Shortly after his return, rumblings about his leadership re-emerged.
When Japanese troops landed in Indochina in July 1941, prudence dictated that Menzies should return to London to press the Australian cause, providing he could obtain the Labor Party’s acquiescence, because of the evenly divided parliament. Curtin was disposed to agree but those hungry for office within Labor ranks ruled otherwise. This, together with disloyalty within his own party, fatally wounded Menzies. After a lengthy Cabinet discussion on 28 August he concluded that lack of internal support had rendered his position untenable and the United Australia Party and the Country Party together chose Arthur Fadden as replacement prime minister. Menzies resigned as prime minister the following day.
Opening hours
Menzies by John Howard is now open at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.
Open daily 9-5pm (closed Christmas Day)
$2 adults, $1 children and concessions, $5 family
18 King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra
Slide through the timeline and touch milestones with this symbol to see more
The Canberra Times reports Menzies’ resignation as deputy leader of the United Australia Party—and from Cabinet—over the government's decision to abandon a national health insurance scheme.
Canberra Times, 15 March 1939.
On 7 April 1939, Prime Minister Joe Lyons died in Sydney at the age of 59. Earle Page became the 11th Prime Minister of Australia.
Canberra Times, 8 April 1939
Menzies elected leader of the United Australia Party by a narrow margin.
Canberra Times, 19 April 1939
Menzies responds in the House of Representatives to Prime Minister Earle Page’s attack on him, partly because he did not serve in the First World War.
House of Representatives Hansard, 20 April 1939, pp 14-21.
Menzies’ wife Pattie (front row, second from left) and parents (front row, right hand side) watch in the visitors’ gallery as the first Menzies Ministry meets in the House of Representatives chamber, 3 May1939.
Image courtesy of the National Library of Australia
Radio broadcast of 24 April 1939, as reported in Allan Martin, Robert Menzies: A Life, p.280.
Robert Menzies sworn in as the 12th Prime Minister of Australia on 26 April 1939. Here Menzies and members of his first cabinet are photographed on the steps of the provisional Parliament House.
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
The National Registration Act of 1939 was to establish, through the census, a register of men eligible for military service. The Menzies government denied it had plans to introduce conscription, but the left-wing press, and Mahony, clearly did not believe them.
‘Sold!’, cartoon by F W Mahony, Daily News, 25 May 1939.
Museum of Australian Democracy collection.
13 September 1939
Cartoonist Will Mahony addressed the idea that the Menzies Government’s total focus on war planning was taking place at the expense of post-war planning.
‘And plan for the future, Mr Menzies’, cartoon by F W Mahony, Daily News, 8 January 1940.
Museum of Australian Democracy collection.
14 March 1940
In early 1940 Menzies intervened in a strike on the New South Wales coalfields, where miners were pushing for reduced hours. Menzies made a speech at the Kurri Kurri picture theatre which was boycotted by all but a small band of supporters. Undeterred, he moved on to a much larger rally at a Newcastle sports ground where, despite being heckled, he spoke passionately about Australian men serving overseas and the need for everyone to play their part.
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection.
10 May 1940
10 July 1940
Three federal ministers - Geoffrey Street, Henry Gullett and James Fairbairn, are killed in an air crash at Canberra on 13 August.
Canberra Times, Wednesday 14 August 1940.
Speech by Menzies in House of Representatives, 14 August 1940.
27 August 1940
2 September 1940
Menzies 1940 election speech, Camberwell, Victoria. Read the full speech
7 September 1940
Federal election results in a hung parliament. Menzies forms government with the support of two independent members.
Canberra Times, 23 September 1940.
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
16 October 1940
The Canberra Times reports changes to the War Cabinet and the formation of an all-party Advisory War Council. Having rejected an all-party government, John Curtin accepts membership of this new advisory council.
Canberra Times, 29 October 1940.
20 November 1940
5 January 1941
24 January 1941
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
Robert Menzies received the first of these certificates after he flew over the equator on his way to London in January 1941. A second certificate was given to him to mark his flight across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand in May 1941 at the end of his overseas visit.
Menzies 1941 Diary, 12 February 1941.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 005764
Menzies assiduously filmed his experiences for family consumption while overseas. Here Menzies is photographed filming troops while in Egypt.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 005763
Menzies visiting troops in the Middle East.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 005783
Menzies 1941 Diary, 13 February 1941.
Menzies with Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Blamey at a Middle East hospital visiting wounded Australian soldiers.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 005722
Menzies 1941 Diary, 20 February 1941.
Robert Menzies is greeted by Australian High Commissioner, and former prime minister, Stanley Bruce, on his arrival in London in late February 1941.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 006403
Menzies 1941 Diary, 24 February 1941.
Robert Menzies at No. 10 Downing Street, London, with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, March 1941.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 006414
Menzies 1941 Diary, 24 February 1941.
Signed portrait of Winston Churchill.
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection
Menzies 1941 Diary, 11 March 1941.
Australian Prime Minister Mr R. G. Menzies filming ruins of Coventry during his visit to the Middle East and England early in 1941. On his right is Air Commodore F. H. McNamara VC; RAAF.
Australian War Memorial, 006687
Menzies 1941 Diary, 13 March 1941.
Mr Churchill with Mr Winant and Mr. Menzies in their robes after the ceremony of presenting degrees to Mr Winant and Mr. Menzies.
Australian War Memorial, 007465
Menzies 1941 Diary, 19 March 1941.
Sheffield silver fruit platter given to Menzies during his visit to Sheffield in March 1941. Pattie Menzies used this dish extensively over the years.
Courtesy of the Menzies family
The Right Honorable Robert Gordon Menzies tours the bombed ruins of Coventry Cathedral and Coventry City with the Mayor Alderman J A Moseley.
Australian War Memorial, 007029
11 February 1941
6 April 1941
11 April 1941
Menzies 1941 Diary, 14 April 1941.
Queensland Times, Thursday 27 March 1941, page 7.
Menzies 1941 Diary, 17 April 1941.
Mr R G Menzies looks at the damage caused by air raids in the city of London.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 006417
21 April 1941
Menzies 1941 Diary, 23 April 1941
Image: Australian War Memorial, 006407
This silver casket and scroll were presented to Robert Menzies by the Council of the County Borough of Swansea on 29 April 1941 ‘in recognition and appreciation of his eminent and distinguished services to the Empire, more especially in the struggle in which it is now engaged...’
Courtesy of the Menzies family
Menzies 1941 Diary, 30 April 1941.
Robert Menzies at the Guildhall, Swansea, 30 April 1941.
Image courtesy of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, Perth
Menzies 1941 Diary, 10 May 1941.
On arrival from Lisbon, Portugal by Clipper aircraft, in the background at its mooring, at the La Guardia Marine Terminal, The Right Honourable R G Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia, faced a battery of newsreel cameras and gave a five minute talk which went into newsreel theatres throughout the USA.
Image: Australian War Memorial, 007423
Menzies 1941 Diary, 10 May 1941.
Signed photo given to Menzies by Roosevelt in May 1941.
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection.
Menzies 1941 Diary, 23 May 1941.
Prime Minister Robert Menzies at the Rose Bay Flying Base in Sydney with wife Patti after his return from overseas on 24 May 1941.
SMH News Picture by F J Halmarick
Reported in The Argus, 26 May 1941, p.1.
Reported in The Argus, on 27 May 1941, p.5.
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
27 May 1941
‘Design for living’, cartoon by Mick Armstrong
Published in The Argus, 27 May 1941
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection
Germany invades Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa.
Canberra Times, 23 June 1941.
The Longfellow broadsheet, signed by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President F.D. Roosevelt.
Museum of Australian Democracy Collection
Press release issued by Menzies 28 August 1941.
Reprinted in The Argus, on 29 August 1941.
The Canberra Times reported that Robert Menzies resigned as Prime Minister. Billy Hughes, 78 years old, replaces Menzies as leader of the UAP but a joint meeting of the coalition elects Arthur Fadden as its leader. Fadden becomes the 13th Prime Minister of Australia.
Canberra Times, 29 August 1941.
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
Japan attacks the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States into the Second World War.
Canberra Times, 9 December 1941
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
1 September 1939
Interview conducted by Ian Hancock with John Howard at Old Parliament House, 16 July 2014.
From Menzies' radio broadcast, 3 September 1939.
Audio courtesy of National Film and Sound Archive
The Museum of Australian Democracy would like to acknowledge the following people for their work on this exhibition:
Curator: The Hon. John Howard OM AC
Consultant historian: Ian HancockExhibition design: BannyanWood
Photographs in this exhibition have been provided courtesy of:
Australian War Memorial
Fairfax Syndication
Mrs Heather Henderson
National Archives of Australia
National Archives of Australia
National Library of Australia
Newspix
State Library of Victoria
The Museum of Australian Democracy sincerely thanks the Menzies family for its generous support of this exhibition.