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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.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

This is a black-and-white portrait of Prime Minister Harold Holt.

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  4. Harold Holt

Harold Holt

Harold Holt was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1966 to 1967.

About Harold Holt

Portrait of Harold Holt.

  • Born: 5 August 1908
  • Died: 19 December 1967
  • Partner: Zara Kate Holt
  • Political party: 
    • United Australia Party
    • Liberal Party of Australia (as PM)
  • Image: NAA: A1200, L52058

Australia's 17th Prime Minister, Harold Holt was in office from 26 January 1966 to 19 December 1967, when he was officially pronounced dead after drowning at sea.

Holt became member for Fawkner in 1935. He became Australia's youngest minister in 1939 when Prime Minister Robert Menzies allocated him a junior role. For three-quarters of his 32 years in parliament, he was on the government benches. His only period in Opposition was from 1941 to 1949. Holt held the senior portfolios of Immigration and of Labour and National Service in the 1950s, and became Treasurer in 1958.

One of the most hard-working of Australia's Cabinet ministers, after 32 years as a parliamentarian, Harold Holt reached the prime ministerial office in 1966. The third Prime Minister to die in office, Harold Holt is widely remembered for the unusual circumstances of his death while swimming off the Victorian coast in December 1967.

Did you know?

Harold Holt:

  • was in parliament for 30 years before he became prime minister – second only to John McEwen’s 33 years in parliament before he succeeded Holt in 1967
  • married Zara Holt, who was fashion adviser for uniforms for the Australian officials of Expo 67 in Montreal
  • was a federal parliamentarian for 32 years, the same as Robert Menzies
  • along with senior public servant HC (Nugget) Coombs, was instrumental in the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1962
  • was the first prime minister to employ a speech writer

In this section: Harold Holt

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

Learning Resources

Original records and material to help students with their research.

Record

A speech made by Prime Minister Harold Holt on 28 May 1967, in response to Referendum results.

1967 Referendum results - Prime Minister Harold Holt responds in press release

A speech made by Prime Minister Harold Holt on 28 May 1967, in response to Referendum results.

Record

First Australian campaigners meeting with Prime Minister Harold Holt.

First Australian campaigners meet with Prime Minister Harold Holt seeking support for the 1967 referendum

Lobbyists from the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders meet with Harold Holt in February 1967

Record

Prime Minister Harold Holt's briefcase.

Prime Minister Harold Holt's briefcase

This is the brown leather briefcase prime minister Harold Holt took with him to Portsea, Victoria, shortly before his death.

Records about Harold Holt

View selected National Archives' records about Harold Holt

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Robert Menzies

Robert Menzies

1939–1941
1949–1966

Portrait of John McEwen.

John McEwen

1967–1968

Portrait of John Gorton.

John Gorton

1968–1971

Old Parliament House, Canberra

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National Archives of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

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