The McMahon ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 46th ministry of the Australian Government. It was led by the country's 20th Prime Minister, William McMahon. The McMahon ministry succeeded the Second Gorton ministry, which dissolved on 10 March 1971 following the resignation of John Gorton as Prime Minister. The ministry was replaced by the First Whitlam ministry on 5 December 1972 following the federal election that took place on 2 December which saw Labor defeat the Coalition.
As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the McMahon ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, and Gorton governments, as well as the First Fraser ministries. Tom Hughes was the last surviving Liberal minister, and Malcolm Fraser was the last surviving Liberal Cabinet minister. Tony Street was the last surviving assistant minister.
Cabinet PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal William McMahon for Lowe Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party Minister for Foreign Affairs (to 22 March 1971) Country Doug Anthony for Richmond Deputy Prime Minister Leader of the Country Party Minister for Trade and Industry Liberal John Gorton for Higgins Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party (to 18 August 1971) Minister for Defence (to 13 August 1971) Country Ian Sinclair for New England Deputy Leader of the Country Party Minister for Primary Industry Liberal Sir Ken Anderson Senator for New South Wales Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister for Supply (to 2 August 1971) Minister for Health (from 2 August 1971) Liberal Sir Reginald Swartz for Darling Downs Minister for National Development Leader of the House (to 15 August 1972) Liberal Billy Snedden for Bruce Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party (from 18 August 1971) Minister for Labour and National Service (to 22 March 1971) Treasurer (from 22 March 1971) Liberal Nigel Bowen for Parramatta Minister for Education and Science (to 22 March 1971) Attorney-General (from 22 March 1971 to 2 August 1971) Minister for Foreign Affairs (from 2 August 1971) Liberal Sir Alan Hulme for Petrie Postmaster-General Vice-President of the Executive Council Liberal Les Bury for Wentworth Treasurer (to 22 March 1971) Minister for Foreign Affairs (from 22 March 1971 to 2 August 1971) Country Peter Nixon for Gippsland Minister for Shipping and Transport Liberal David Fairbairn for Farrer (in Cabinet from 22 March 1971) Minister for Education and Science (from 22 March 1971 to 20 August 1971) Minister for Defence (from 20 August 1971) Liberal Phillip Lynch for Flinders (in Cabinet from 22 March 1971) Minister for Immigration (to 22 March 1971) Minister assisting the Treasurer (to 22 March 1971) Minister for Labour and National Service (from 22 March 1971) Liberal Malcolm Fraser for Wannon (in Cabinet from 20 August 1971) Minister for Education and Science (from 20 August 1971)
Outer ministry PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Country Charles Barnes for McPherson Minister for External Territories (to 25 January 1972) Liberal James Forbes for Barker Minister for Health (to 22 March 1971) Minister for Immigration (from 22 March 1971) Liberal Dame Annabelle Rankin Senator for Queensland Minister for Housing (to 22 March 1971) Liberal Bill Wentworth for Mackellar Minister for Social Services Minister in charge of Aboriginal Affairs under the Prime Minister (to 31 May 1971) Liberal Reg Wright Senator for Tasmania Minister for Works Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry (to 31 May 1971) Liberal Don Chipp for Hotham Minister for Customs and Excise Minister assisting the Minister for National Development (from 27 May 1971) Leader of the House (from 15 August 1972) Liberal Bob Cotton Senator for New South Wales 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 (to 22 March 1971) Liberal James Killen for Moreton Minister for the Navy (to 22 March 1971) Liberal Andrew Peacock for Kooyong Minister for the Army (to 2 February 1972) Minister for External Territories (from 2 February 1972) Minister assisting the Prime Minister (to 25 May 1971) Minister assisting the Treasurer (from 25 May 1971 to 2 February 1972) Country Ralph Hunt for Gwydir Minister for the Interior Liberal Kevin Cairns for Lilley (in Ministry from 22 March 1971) Minister for Housing (from 22 March 1971) Liberal Ivor Greenwood Senator for Victoria (in Ministry from 22 March 1971) Minister for Health (from 22 March 1971 to 2 August 1971) Attorney-General (from 2 August 1971) Liberal Malcolm Mackay for Evans (in Ministry from 22 March 1971) Minister for the Navy (from 22 March 1971) Liberal Peter Howson for Casey (in Ministry from 31 May 1971) Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts (from 31 May 1971) Minister in charge of Tourist Activities (from 31 May 1971) Liberal Victor Garland for Curtin (in Ministry from 2 August 1971) Minister for Supply (from 2 August 1971) Minister assisting the Treasurer (from 21 March 1972) Country Bob Katter for Kennedy (in Ministry from 2 February 1972) Minister for the Army (from 2 February 1972)
Assistant ministers PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal Don Dobie for Cook Assistant Minister assisting the Prime Minister (from 20 August 1971) Liberal John McLeay for Boothby Assistant Minister assisting the Minister for Civil Aviation (from 20 August 1971) Country Ian Robinson for Cowper Assistant Minister assisting the Postmaster-General (from 20 August 1971) Liberal Tony Street for Corangamite Assistant Minister assisting the Minister for Labour and National Service (from 20 August 1971) Liberal John Marriott Senator for Tasmania Assistant Minister assisting the Minister for Health (from 14 September 1971) Country Robert King for Wimmera Assistant Minister assisting the Minister for Primary Industry (from 5 October 1971)
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