William Morris Hughes was an Australian politician who served as the seventh prime minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923. He led the country during World War I, and his influence on national politics spanned several decades. He was a member of the federal parliament from Federation in 1901 until his death in 1952, and is the only person to have served for more than 50 years. He represented six political parties during his career, leading five, outlasting four, and being expelled from three.
Hughes in 1919
An unbreeched Hughes at about the age of four
Hughes in his Royal Fusiliers uniform, c. 1880
Hughes in 1895
Prime Minister of Australia
The prime minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia. The prime minister chairs the Cabinet and thus heads the federal executive government. Under the principles of responsible government, the prime minister is both a member and responsible to Parliament. The current prime minister is Anthony Albanese of the Australian Labor Party, who assumed the office on 23 May 2022.
Prime Minister of Australia
Australia's first prime minister, Edmund Barton, at the central table in the House of Representatives in 1901.
John Gorton being sworn in as the 19th Prime Minister on 10 January 1968. To date, Gorton is the only Senator to have served as Prime Minister, though he would swiftly move to the House of Representatives as the member for Higgins.
Prime ministers Curtin, Fadden, Hughes, Menzies and Governor-General The Duke of Gloucester 2nd from left, in 1945.
