First Fraser ministry

First Fraser ministry
50th Ministry of Australia
Malcolm Fraser Doug Anthony
Date formed	11 November 1975
Date dissolved	22 December 1975
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Sir John Kerr
Prime Minister	Malcolm Fraser
Deputy Prime Minister	Doug Anthony
No. of ministers	15
Member party	Liberal–National Country coalition
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leader	Gough Whitlam
History
Outgoing election	13 December 1975
Legislature term	29th
Predecessor	Third Whitlam ministry
Successor	Second Fraser ministry

This article is part of a series about Malcolm Fraser
Early life Member for Wannon (1955–1983) Minister for the Army Vietnam War conscription program Minister for Education and Science (1968–69) Minister for Defence Resignation from the Gorton Ministry Minister for Education and Science (1971–72) 1972 Liberal Party leadership election Shadow Minister for Primary Industry Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations 1975 Liberal Party leadership spill 1975 Australian constitutional crisis Fraser government Term of government (1975–1983) Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976 Administrative Appeals Tribunal 1977 referendum Welcoming of Vietnamese refugees Opposition to Apartheid Lancaster House Agreement Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 Norfolk Island Act 1979 Establishment of the SBS National Museum of Australia Act 1980 Human Rights Commission Act 1981 Australian Institute of Sport Early 1980s recession 1982 Liberal Party leadership spill Ministries First ministry Second ministry Third ministry Fourth ministry Elections 1975 1977 1980 1983
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The first Fraser ministry (Liberal–National Country coalition) was the 50th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. The first Fraser ministry succeeded the Third Whitlam ministry, which dissolved on 11 November following the dismissal of the Whitlam government by Governor-General Sir John Kerr. As such, it was a caretaker ministry until a federal election could take place.^[1] To date, it is the last ministry not to be split between a Cabinet and outer ministry. In the event, the Coalition was ultimately elected on 13 December 1975, and this ministry was replaced by the second Fraser ministry on 22 December 1975.^[2]

As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the First Fraser ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton, and McMahon governments. Tony Street was the last surviving Liberal member.

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Liberal	Malcolm Fraser (1930–2015) MP for Wannon (1955–1983)		Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party
	National Country	Doug Anthony (1929–2020) MP for Richmond (1957–1984)		Deputy Prime Minister Leader of the National Country Party Minister for Overseas Trade
	Liberal	Phillip Lynch (1933–1984) MP for Flinders (1966–1982)		Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Treasurer
	National Country	Ian Sinclair (born 1929) MP for New England (1963–1998)		Deputy Leader of the National Country Party Minister for Agriculture Minister for Northern Australia
	Liberal	Reg Withers (1924–2014) Senator for Western Australia (1968–1987)		Leader of the Government in the Senate Special Minister of State Minister for the Capital Territory Minister for the Media Minister for Tourism and Recreation Vice-President of the Executive Council
	Liberal	Ivor Greenwood (1926–1976) Senator for Victoria (1968–1976)		Attorney-General Minister for Police and Customs
	Liberal	Bob Cotton (1915–2006) Senator for New South Wales (1965–1978)		Minister for Manufacturing Industry Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs
	National Country	Peter Nixon (1928–2025) MP for Gippsland (1961–1983)		Minister for Transport Postmaster-General
	Liberal	Andrew Peacock (1939–2021) MP for Kooyong (1966–1994)		Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for the Environment
	Liberal	Don Chipp (1925–2006) MP for Hotham (1969–1977)		Minister for Social Security Minister for Health Minister for Repatriation and Compensation
	Liberal	James Killen (1925–2007) MP for Moreton (1955–1983)		Minister for Defence
	National Country	Tom Drake-Brockman DFC (1919–1992) Senator for Western Australia (1959–1978)		Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Administrative Services
	Liberal	John Carrick (1918–2018) Senator for New South Wales (1971–1987)		Minister for Housing and Construction Minister for Urban and Regional Development
	Liberal	Tony Street (1926–2022) MP for Corangamite (1966–1984)		Minister for Labour and Immigration
	Liberal	Margaret Guilfoyle (1926–2020) Senator for Victoria (1971–1987)		Minister for Education