First Curtin ministry

See also: Curtin government

First Curtin ministry
29th Ministry of Australia
Group photo of the First Curtin ministry
Date established	7 October 1941
Date dissolved	21 September 1943
Leadership and composition
Monarch	George VI
Prime Minister	John Curtin
No. of ministers	19
Member party	Labor
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	Country–United Australia coalition
Opposition leader	Arthur Fadden
Formation and history
Outgoing election	21 August 1943
Legislature term	16th
Predecessor	Fadden ministry
Successor	Second Curtin ministry

The First Curtin ministry (Labor) was the 29th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 14th Prime Minister, John Curtin. The First Curtin ministry succeeded the Fadden ministry, which dissolved on 7 October 1941 after the independent crossbenchers Alexander Wilson and Arthur Coles withdrew their support for the Fadden government. The ministry was replaced by the Second Curtin ministry on 21 September 1943 following the 1943 federal election.

Frank Forde, who died in 1983, was the last surviving member of the First Curtin ministry; Forde was also the last surviving minister of the Scullin government, Second Curtin ministry, Forde government, and the First Chifley ministry.

Ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	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)