Frontbench of John Curtin

The Frontbench of John Curtin was the federal Australian Labor Party frontbench from October 1, 1935 until Curtin's death on July 5, 1945. It was opposed by the UAP-Country Coalition.

John Curtin became Leader of the Opposition upon his election as leader of the Australian Labor Party on October 1, 1935. His frontbench subsequently formed the Australian Government from 1941 until his death.

1935-1937

The following were members of the ALP Caucus Executive from October 1, 1935 to October 29, 1937:^[1]

John Curtin MP - Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labor Party
Hon. Frank Forde MP - Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
Senator Joe Collings - Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator Gordon Brown - Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Hon Norman Makin MP - Secretary
Hon Jack Holloway MP
Darby Riordan MP (to October 15, 1936)

1937-1940

The following were members of the ALP Caucus Executive from October 9, 1937 to October 14, 1940:^[1]

John Curtin MP - Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labor Party
Hon. Frank Forde MP - Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
Senator Joe Collings - Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator Gordon Brown - Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (to September 20, 1938)
Senator Richard Keane - Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (from September 20, 1938)
Hon Norman Makin MP - Secretary
Frank Brennan MP
Albert Green MP (to October 2, 1940)
Hon Jack Holloway MP
Bert Lazzarini MP
George Martens MP
Eddie Ward MP

1940-1941

The following were members of the ALP Caucus Executive from October 14, 1940 to October 7, 1941:^[1]

John Curtin MP - Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labor Party
Hon. Frank Forde MP - Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
Senator Joe Collings - Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator James Cunningham - Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Hon Norman Makin MP - Secretary
Hon. Ben Chifley MP
Charles Frost MP
Arthur Drakeford MP
Dr H. V. Evatt QC MP
Hon Jack Holloway MP
Bert Lazzarini MP

First ministry (1941-1943)

	Minister	Portfolio
Labor	John Curtin (1885–1945) MP for Fremantle (1934–1945)	Prime Minister Leader of the Labor Party Minister for Defence Co-ordination (to 14 April 1942) Minister for Defence (from 14 April 1942)
	Frank Forde (1890–1983) MP for Capricornia (1922–1946)	Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Minister for the Army
	Ben Chifley (1885–1951) MP for Macquarie (1940–1951)	Treasurer Minister for Postwar Reconstruction (from 22 December 1942)
	H. V. Evatt (1894–1965) MP for Barton (1940–1958)	Attorney-General Minister for External Affairs
	Jack Beasley (1895–1949) MP for West Sydney (1928–1946)	Minister for Supply and Development (to 17 October 1942) Minister for Supply and Shipping (from 17 October 1942)
	Joe Collings (1865–1955) Senator for Queensland (1932–1950)	Minister for the Interior Leader of the Government in the Senate (to 20 September 1943)
	Norman Makin (1889–1982) MP for Hindmarsh (1919–1946)	Minister for the Navy Minister for Munitions
	Jack Holloway (1875–1967) MP for Melbourne Ports (1931–1951)	Minister for Health Minister for Social Services Minister assisting the Minister for Munitions (from 21 February 1942)
	Richard Keane (1881–1946) Senator for Victoria (1938–1946)	Minister for Trade and Customs Vice-President of the Executive Council Leader of the Government in the Senate (from 20 September 1943)
	Arthur Drakeford (1878–1957) MP for Maribyrnong (1934–1955)	Minister for Air Minister for Civil Aviation
	William Scully (1883–1966) MP for Gwydir (1937–1949)	Minister for Commerce (to 22 December 1942) Minister for Commerce and Agriculture (from 22 December 1942)
	Bill Ashley (1881–1958) Senator for New South Wales (1937–1958)	Postmaster-General Minister for Information
	Eddie Ward (1899–1963) MP for East Sydney (1932–1963)	Minister for Labour and National Service
	George Lawson (1880–1966) MP for Brisbane (1931–1961)	Minister for Transport Minister assisting the Postmaster-General
	Charles Frost (1882–1964) MP for Franklin (1934–1946)	Minister for Repatriation Minister in charge of War Service Homes
	John Dedman (1896–1973) MP for Corio (1940–1949)	Minister for War Organisation of Industry Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
	Bert Lazzarini (1884–1952) MP for Werriwa (1934–1952)	Minister for Home Security Minister assisting the Treasurer
	James Fraser (1889–1961) Senator for Western Australia (1938–1959)	Minister for External Territories Minister assisting the Minister for Commerce (to 17 October 1942) Minister assisting the Minister for the Army (from 21 February 1942) Minister assisting the Minister for Supply and Shipping (from 17 October 1942)
	Don Cameron (1878–1962) Senator for Victoria (1938–1962)	Minister for Aircraft Production Minister assisting the Minister for Munitions (to 21 February 1942)

Frontbench of John Curtin

1935-1937

1937-1940

1940-1941

First ministry (1941-1943)

Second ministry (1943-1945)

See also

References

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