1939 United Australia Party leadership election

1939 United Australia Party leadership election
← 1931 18 April 1939 1941 →
Turnout95.45% (Third ballot)
 
Candidate Robert Menzies Billy Hughes
First ballot N/A N/A
Second ballot 22 (50.0%) 22 (50.0%)
Third ballot 23 (54.8%) 19 (45.2%)
 
Candidate Richard Casey Thomas White
First ballot Withdrew Withdrew
Leader before election

Joseph Lyons

 Elected Leader

Robert Menzies

The United Australia Party held a leadership election on 18 April 1939, following the death in office of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons on 7 April. Robert Menzies narrowly defeated Billy Hughes – a former Nationalist prime minister – on the third ballot, following the earlier elimination of Treasurer Richard Casey and Trade Minister Thomas White. Another former prime minister, Stanley Bruce, had also been considered a leadership contender, but for various reasons (including his position outside of parliament as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom) he was never nominated. Menzies was not sworn in as prime minister until 26 April.[1][2]

  1. ^ "Mr. Menzies Leader of U.A.P." The Argus. No. 28, 909. Victoria, Australia. 19 April 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 2 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Mr. Menzies to be Prime Minister". The Advertiser. South Australia, Australia. 19 April 1939. p. 23. Retrieved 2 January 2023 – via National Library of Australia.