The Second Gorton ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 45th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 19th Prime Minister, John Gorton. The Second Gorton ministry succeeded the First Gorton ministry, which dissolved on 12 November 1969 following the federal election that took place in October. The ministry was replaced by the McMahon ministry on 10 March 1971 following the resignation of Gorton.
As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the Second Gorton ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, and McMahon governments, as well as the First Gorton and the First Fraser ministries. Tom Hughes was the last surviving Liberal minister, and Malcolm Fraser was the last surviving Liberal Cabinet minister.
Cabinet PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal John Gorton for Higgins Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party Country John McEwen for Murray Deputy Prime Minister (to 5 February 1971) Leader of the Country Party (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Trade and Industry (to 5 February 1971) Liberal William McMahon for Lowe Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Minister for External Affairs (to 6 November 1970) Minister for Foreign Affairs (from 6 November 1970) Country Doug Anthony for Richmond Deputy Prime Minister (from 5 February 1971) Leader of the Country Party (from 5 February 1971) Deputy Leader of the Country Party (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Primary Industry (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Trade and Industry (from 5 February 1971) Liberal Sir Alan Hulme for Petrie Postmaster-General Vice-President of the Executive Council Liberal Les Bury for Wentworth Treasurer Country Ian Sinclair for New England Deputy Leader of the Country Party (from 5 February 1971) Minister for Shipping and Transport (to 5 February 1971) Minister assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Primary Industry (from 5 February 1971) Liberal Sir Ken Anderson Senator for New South Wales Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister for Supply Liberal Malcolm Fraser for Wannon Minister for Defence (to 8 March 1971) Liberal Reginald Swartz for Darling Downs Minister for National Development Liberal Billy Snedden for Bruce Minister for Labour and National Service Leader of the House Liberal Nigel Bowen for Parramatta Minister for Education and Science Country Peter Nixon for Gippsland (in Cabinet from 5 February 1971) Minister for the Interior (to 5 February 1971) Minister for Shipping and Transport (from 5 February 1971)
Outer ministry PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Country Charles Barnes for McPherson Minister for External Territories Liberal James Forbes for Barker Minister for Health Liberal Dame Annabelle Rankin Senator for Queensland Minister for Housing Liberal Phillip Lynch for Flinders Minister for Immigration Minister assisting the Treasurer Liberal Bill Wentworth for Mackellar Minister for Social Services Minister in charge of Aboriginal Affairs under the Prime Minister Liberal Reg Wright Senator for Tasmania Minister for Works Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry Liberal Don Chipp for Hotham Minister for Customs and Excise Liberal Bob Cotton Senator for New South Wales Chief Government Whip in the Senate (to 25 November 1969) Minister for Civil Aviation Country Tom Drake-Brockman Senator for Western Australia Minister for Air Country Mac Holten for Indi Minister for Repatriation Liberal Tom Hughes for Berowra Attorney-General Liberal James Killen for Moreton Minister for the Navy Liberal Andrew Peacock for Kooyong Minister for the Army Minister assisting the Prime Minister Country Ralph Hunt for Gwydir (in Ministry from 5 February 1971) Minister for the Interior (from 5 February 1971)
See also First Gorton Ministry
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