William James McWilliams was an Australian politician who served as the inaugural leader of the Country Party, in office from 1920 to 1921. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1903 to 1922 and from 1928 to his death, on both occasions representing the Division of Franklin in Tasmania. He represented five different political parties during his time in parliament, eventually seeing out his final term as an independent.
William McWilliams
McWilliams as an MP
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia, also known as The Nationals or The Nats, is a centre-right, agrarian political party in Australia. Traditionally representing graziers, farmers, and regional voters generally, it began as the Australian Country Party in 1920 at a federal level.
William McWilliams, Country Party leader 1920–1921
Sir Earle Page, Prime Minister of Australia 1939
Sir Arthur Fadden, Prime Minister of Australia 1941
Sir John McEwen, Prime Minister of Australia 1967–68