1968 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

Liberal Party of Australia
leadership election, 1968
← 1966 9 January 1968 1969 →
 
Candidate John Gorton Paul Hasluck
First ballot 35 (43.2%) 24 (29.6%)
Second ballot 51 (63.0%) 30 (37.0%)
Seat Senator (Vic.) Curtin (WA)
 
Candidate Les Bury Billy Snedden
First ballot 16 (19.8%) 6 (7.4%)
Second ballot Eliminated Eliminated
Seat Wentworth (NSW) Bruce (Vic.)
Leader before election

Harold Holt

 Elected Leader

John Gorton

A leadership election in the Liberal Party of Australia, the party of government in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 9 January 1968. It followed the disappearance and presumed drowning of previous leader Harold Holt, who had been declared dead on 19 December 1967. The contest was won by Senator John Gorton in a party room ballot; he was sworn in as prime minister the following day, replacing caretaker John McEwen.[1][2]

  1. ^ Gaul, Jonathan (10 January 1968). "Gorton's Sweeping Victory". The Canberra Times. p. 1.
  2. ^ "The 'devilish race' for leadership of the country". The Canberra Times. 3 June 1984. p. 7.