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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.

Portrait of William Hughes

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  3. Australia's prime ministers
  4. William Hughes

William Hughes

William Hughes was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923.

About William Hughes

Portrait of William Hughes

  • Born: 25 September 1862
  • Died: 28 October 1952
  • Partner: Mary Ethel Hughes
  • Political party:
    • Australian Labor Party (as PM)
    • Nationalist Party (as PM)
    • United Australia Party
    • Liberal Party
  • Image: NAA: A5954, 1299/2 PHOTO PL251/4

William Morris Hughes, Australia's 7th Prime Minister, was also the longest serving until 1957 when Robert Menzies overtook Hughes’ record term in office. Hughes’ other record still stands: no parliamentarian has surpassed his 51 years and 7 months of continuous service as a member of Australia’s House of Representatives – from the 1st parliament in 1901 to the 20th in 1952.

Before Federation, Hughes had been a Labor member of the New South Wales parliament from 1894 to 1901. In March 1901, he won the seat of West Sydney in the first House of Representatives. He served in the Labor Cabinets of Chris Watson and Andrew Fisher. He then replaced Andrew Fisher as Prime Minister in 1915 and led Australia during World War I.

Hughes’ campaign for conscription during the 1914-18 war split the Labor Party and affected political alignment in Australia for the next 50 years. After the war, Hughes was instrumental in the international recognition of Australia as an independent nation through its membership of the League of Nations.

Hughes lost office in February 1923, but served in parliament for almost 3 decades more.

Did you know?

William Hughes:

  • in 1915 founded the Advisory Council for Science and Industry, later CSIRO
  • was Australia's longest-serving parliamentarian – a member of the House of Representatives for 51 years and 7 months
  • helped found 3 political parties, and was expelled from them all: the Labor Party (expelled 1916), the Nationalist Party (expelled 1929), and the United Australia Party (expelled 1944)
  • had more than 100 prime ministerial secretaries
  • was honoured with 15 ‘Freedom of the City’ awards – more than any other prime minister
  • was Australia's longest-serving prime minister with a record of 7 years 3 months and 14 days until 1957 when Robert Menzies overtook his record

In this section: William Hughes

  • 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 black-and-white cartoon commenting on the various methods of treating influenza used in the 1930s.

Cartoon commentary on influenza treatments – Too many cooks

A black-and-white cartoon commenting on the various methods of treating influenza used in the 1930s.

Record

Anti-conscription leaflet.

Anti-conscription leaflet

This is an anti-conscription leaflet produced in 1916 to promote the refusal of conscription under the William Morris Hughes government.

Record

Policy speed

Migration policy to encourage population growth - speech by Prime Minister Billy Hughes

This is an extract of a speech given by Prime Minister Billy Hughes in 1922, regarding migration policy and population growth.

Records about William Hughes

View selected National Archives' records about William Hughes

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Joseph Cook

Joseph Cook

1913–1914

Portrait of Stanley Bruce

Stanley Bruce

1923–1929

Portrait of James Scullin

James Scullin

1929–1932

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

Explore the stories of each prime minister's time in office through official and personal records held by the National Archives.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The 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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