ARTHUR FADDEN

Order of St Michael and St George (1951)

Country
28 August 1941 — 7 October 1941 40 days

Arthur Fadden became Australia's 13th prime minister when he was elected leader of the United Australia/Country Party coalition following Robert Menzies' resignation in 1941. 

Born

13 April 1894
Ingham, Queensland

Died

21 April 1973
Brisbane, Queensland

Partner

Ilma Fadden

Party

Country

Photo: F J Halmarick/Fairfax

Country
28 August 1941 — 7 October 1941 40 days

About

Arthur Fadden was considered one of the great characters of the Australian parliament, and built trust and rapport with colleagues across party lines. He used levity and wit to manage situations and strengthen relationships. Fadden believed in compromise and consensus, but not at the expense of core party and personal principles. 

Arthur Fadden standing in a group of men laughing.

Photo: Fairfax

Fadden ran an accountancy firm and worked in local government and served in the Queensland parliament before venturing into federal politics, winning the seat of Kennedy in 1932. Redistribution thwarted Fadden's attempt to hold the seat in 1935.

Fadden's contribution to a conservative alternative to the United Australia Party led to the creation of the Queensland Country Party in 1936 and in December that year he won the seat of Darling Downs in a by-election.

In 1940, a Country Party leadership challenge resulted in a deadlock between Earle Page and John McEwen, with Fadden emerging as an acceptable compromise. Fadden also served as acting prime minister for four months in 1941 while Robert Menzies was abroad. In August that year, Menzies resigned.

With the UAP unable to put up a viable candidate, Fadden was elected leader of the Coalition despite being from the minor party. On 3 October 1941 Fadden lost the support of the two independents keeping the Coalition in power when they voted against his budget, and he left prime ministerial office the same day. He would, however, continue to serve extensively as acting prime minister while Menzies was overseas, some 676 days in all. 

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Parliament

When Fadden assumed the role of prime minister, in addition to treasurer, he was leader of a party with 13 members in a parliament of 75.

The senior Coalition party, the United Australia Party, was in disarray following Menzies' resignation. The Coalition retained power  through the support of independents Alexander Wilson and Arthur Coles.

Earlier Coalition governments had been attacked for their inadequate preparations for war and Fadden endured similar criticism. Attention was focused on the work to prepare the critical 1941-42 budget, and on whether all out war with Japan would eventuate.

The Fadden Government also took the opportunity to resume discussions on the value of 'power alcohol', a potential wartime petrol substitute, and a matter of great interest to sugar producers in Fadden's home state of Queensland. 

Arthur Fadden walking through the door to Old Parliament House.

Photo: Fairfax