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Australian Prime Ministers
The leaders who shaped Australia's politics, from Federation to the present. Questions should pertain to their policies and laws, and their lives, both political and personal.
1,068 Questions
Does Kevin Rudd have brothers or sisters?
Yes. Kevin Rudd is the youngest of four children. He has two brothers, Malcolm and Greg, and a sister, Loree.
Who was the Australian prime minister during the depression?
James Henry Scullin, PC
(Australian Labor Party) 22 October 1929 - 6 January 1932
(2 years, 2 months, 16 days) Joseph Aloysius Lyons, PC, CH
(United Australia Party) 6 January 1932 - 7 April 1939
(7 years, 3 months, 2 days) Sir Earle Christmas Grafton Page, PC, GCMG
(Australian Country Party) 7 April 1939 - 26 April 1939
Who is the prime minister for Great Britain 2009?
No-one - Great Britain isn't a country in its own right. The head of state of the United Kingdom is Queen Elizabeth II.
What did Kevin Rudd study at university?
Eumundi Primary, Marist Brothers College and Nambour State High School
Is Kevin Rudd a political leader?
He talks a lot as for leadership we wont know until he gets another term in office.
Given that his popularity rating is low, it is debateable whether he is a good leader.
In his favour, he is diplomatic in his relations with other countries.
However, in his attempts to shore up Australia during the economic crisis, he has managed to strip away the financial surplus built up by the previous government, and is now sending the country into debt.
It has also recently emerged that, in his period of just over two years in office, he has shown himself to be a very demanding and difficult leader to work under, as over 260 staff have walked out on him in that time.
On 17 December 1967, Harold Holt, Prime Minister of Australia, went for a swim on Cheviot Beach near his holiday home at Point Nepean near Portsea, on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. He disappeared in the notoriously rough surf, and was never sighted again.
Holt's disappearance sparked one of the largest search and rescue operations Australia has ever witnessed. Holt's body was never found. This led to much speculation about whether the incident was an accident or planned. There were many theories regarding his disappearance, ranging from suicide, abduction by a Chinese submarine, that he faked his own death in order to run away with his mistress, or that he was a Chinese spy. Despite an extensive search, neither his body nor any trace of his clothes was ever found. He was officially presumed dead on 19 December 1967.
Who was the Prime Minister of Australia in 1984?
Australia had three Prime Ministers during the period of time in question.
Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister from 11 November 1975 - 11 March 1983.
Bob Hawkes was Prime Minister from 11 March 1983 - 20 December 1991.
Paul Keating was Prime Minister from 20 December 1991 - 11 March 1996.
When did Kevin Rudd become the prime minister?
Kevin Rudd was Prime Minister from December 2007 until 24 June 2010.
This works out to 2 years, 6 months and about two weeks.
When did Alfred Deakin become prime minister?
Alfred Deakin has a few claims to fame. He was the first Attorney General and Leader of the House, he was the second Prime Minister and he had three goes at being Prime Minister. # 14 September 1903-1904 # 1905-1908 # 1909-1910
What are the achievements of Kevin Rudd?
1. Abolished Work Choices
Work Choices laws were highly controversial. On the one hand, they removed some of the safety net from workers and limited their rights at work. On the other hand, they protected employers, particularly small business.
2. Proposing the NBN (National Broadband Network)
Australia is a vast country, but due to the huge distances communications had to travel, the system was inefficient and very slow compared to that offered in countries which are smaller geographically. The NBN is planned to deliver a more efficient communications network which should enhance business productivity and global connectivity, as well as offer better service levels, competition and choices.
3. Steered Australia through the worst economic crisis the world has ever seen in 75 years
The US, UK and Japan all had a recession. Australia did not. However, whilst many believe this was due to Mr Rudd's management, it must be pointed out that he managed to use up the entire billions of dollars worth of surplus which the previous Howard Government had managed to accrue through careful financial management.
4. $42 billion economic stimulus package
Involved spending on school buildings, social housing and ceiling insulation -- created economic activity that saved at least 200,000 Australian jobs. However, each of these programmes was fraught with problems, such as numerous deaths from poorly installed insulation, and possible rorting of funds for the school buildings programme.
5. Kevin Rudd made a national apology to the Stolen Generations
On February 13th, 2008, Aboriginal people across all Australia were deeply moved and in tears: The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, had finally apologised to the Stolen Generations and said 'sorry'.
6. Proposed a 40% mining tax
Kevin Rudd argued that minerals are a finite resource that belong to the people who are entitled to their fair share and that the tax would benefit Australians and the economy for years to come.
"Over the last decade the mining companies generated $80 billion in higher profits. At the same time governments on behalf of the people received only an additional $9 billion," he said.
A 40% cent levy on the profits of mining companies to raise $12 billion in its first two years - this would fund a reduction in company tax, increased superannuation for low-income earners and greater infrastructure investment.
This policy was so unpopular that it was a major catalyst to the loss of Mr Rudd's own popularity, and the choice by his own party to elect his former Deputy PM, Julia Gillard, as the new prime Minsiter of Australia.
Therefore, a rather ignominious achievement of Kevin Rudd was to be the first Australian Prime Minister to have been removed from office by his own party before even completing a single term.
Which Australian prime minister resigned?
William McMahon was the Australian Prime Minister for most of 1972, serving until 5 December, after which Edward "Gough" Whitlam became Prime Minister. Whitlam then served until his dismissal in November 1975.
Which two Australian prime ministers lost their seats in an election?
Stanley Bruce lost the seat of Flinders in 1929. John Howard lost his seat of Bennelong at the 2007 election.
What town did Kevin Rudd live in?
Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, lives in Norman Park, a riverside suburb of Brisbane, Queensland.
As Prime Minister, he lived in The Lodge, Canberra from November 2007 until 29 June 2010.
What did Alfred Deakin do that was important?
Alfred Deakin introduced Australia's first private members bill which was:
Prevention from animal cruelty.
What political party is Tony Abbott a member of?
Tony Abbott is the Federal leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.
How did the colonists feel about sir Edmund Andros?
He allowed town meetings only once a year, revoked all land titles, ended representative assemblies, and taxed without consent.
When did william mc mahon become prime minister?
William McMahon was Prime Minister of Australia from 22 March 1971 until 2 December 1972.
Where did sir Edmund barton work?
Edmund Barton was a Barrister and a politician in the NSW government until he became PM. After his Primeministership he was appointed as a high court judge.
How many terms can the Australian prime minister serve and how long are those terms?
There is no limit to how long an Australian Prime Minister can be Prime minister.
Elections are held roughly every three years, but there is a very large window of many months which the serving Prime Minister may choose to use to his/her advantage to call either an early or late election.
What are some examples in modern days of betrayal in real life?
Adolph Hitler betrayed Stalin in WW2, they originally had a pact until Germany invaded Russia.
Who was the longest serving premier in Australia?
Australia's longest serving Prime Minister was Sir Robert Gordon Menzies.
He served from 10 December 1949 to 20 January 1966. He was Prime Minister for over 18 years in total. Prior to his second term, he had a much shorter stint as Prime Minister, from 26 April 1939 to 28 August 1941.
How long does an MP stay in power?
For as long as you can keep getting re-elected, in most states and in the Fed Gov't
