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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

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Portrait of Arthur Fadden

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  5. Arthur Fadden: timeline

Arthur Fadden: timeline

Arthur Fadden was the Prime Minister of Australia in 1941.

On this page

  • 1930 to 1939
  • 1940 to 1949
  • 1950 to 1959
  • 1970 to 1979

1930 to 1939

19 Dec 1936: 1st elected to federal Parliament

Fadden was elected as Member of Parliament for the seat of Darling Downs (Qld), in a by-election.

1940 to 1949

16 Oct 1940: Country Party leader

After a tight contest, Fadden was elected acting leader of the Country Party to replace Archie Cameron. He was confirmed leader 5 months later, on 12 March 1941.

28 Oct 1940: Treasurer

Fadden was appointed treasurer and deputy prime minister in the Menzies government. He served as acting prime minister while Menzies was overseas in January to May 1941.

29 Aug 1941: 13th Prime Minister

Fadden succeeded as prime minister after Robert Menzies’ resignation.

7 Oct 1941: Lost office

Fadden's minority government was defeated on 3 October when the 2 Independent members who had supported it voted with the Opposition to reject Fadden's budget. Fadden advised the Governor-General Lord Gowrie that Labor leader John Curtin should be commissioned as prime minister. Curtin was sworn in on 7 October 1941.

10 Dec 1949: 19th federal election

Fadden is elected as Member of Parliament for the newly created seat of McPherson (Qld).

1950 to 1959

14 Oct 1958: Retirement

After a brief term in office as prime minister in 1941, Fadden served another 17 years in parliament. He was deputy prime minister and treasurer in the Menzies coalition government for 9 years, from 1949 until his retirement from Cabinet in 1958.

1970 to 1979

21 Apr 1973: Death

Fadden died at his Brisbane home, aged 78.

In this section: Arthur Fadden

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

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Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Robert Menzies

Robert Menzies

1939–1941
1949–1966

Portrait of John Curtin

John Curtin

1941–1945

Portrait of Francis Forde.

Francis Forde

1945–1945

Old Parliament House, Canberra

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