Eighth Menzies ministry explained

See also: Menzies government (1949–1966).

Cabinet Name:	Eighth Menzies ministry
Cabinet Type:	Ministry
Cabinet Number:	38th
Jurisdiction:	Australia
Flag:	Flag of Australia.svg
Flag Border:	true
Date Formed:	10 December 1958
Date Dissolved:	22 December 1961
Government Head:	Robert Menzies
State Head:	Elizabeth II
Governor General:	Sir William Slim Lord Dunrossil Viscount De L'Isle
Members Number:	24
Political Party:	Liberal–Country coalition
Legislature Status:	Coalition majority government
Opposition Party:	Labor
Opposition Leader:	H. V. Evatt Arthur Calwell
Election:	22 November 1958
Last Election:	9 December 1961
Legislature Term:	23rd
Predecessor:	Seventh Menzies ministry
Successor:	Ninth Menzies ministry
State Head Title:	Monarch
Government Head Title:	Prime Minister

The Eighth Menzies ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 38th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by Prime Minister Robert Menzies. The Eighth Menzies ministry succeeded the Seventh Menzies ministry, which dissolved on 10 December 1958 following the federal election that took place in late November. The ministry was replaced by the Ninth Menzies ministry on 22 December 1961 following the 1961 federal election.^[1]

John Gorton, who died in 2002, was the last surviving member of the Eighth Menzies ministry. Hugh Roberton was the last surviving Country junior minister, and Sir Garfield Barwick and Charles Davidson were the last surviving Liberal and Country Cabinet ministers respectively.

Cabinet

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
		Liberal	Rt Hon Robert Menzies for Kooyong		Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party Minister for External Affairs (from 4 February 1960)
		Country	Rt Hon John McEwen for Murray		Leader of the Country Party Minister for Trade
		Liberal	Rt Hon Harold Holt for Higgins		Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Treasurer Leader of the House
		Liberal	Rt Hon Richard Casey for La Trobe		Minister for External Affairs (to 4 February 1960) Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (to 4 February 1960)
		Liberal	Hon Bill Spooner Senator for New South Wales		Leader of the Government in the Senate
		Liberal	Hon Athol Townley for Denison		Minister for Defence
		Liberal	Hon Paul Hasluck for Curtin
		Liberal	Hon William McMahon for Lowe		Minister for Labour and National Service
		Liberal	Hon Shane Paltridge Senator for Western Australia		Minister for Civil Aviation Minister for Shipping and Transport (to 5 February 1960)
		Country	Hon Charles Davidson for Dawson		Deputy Leader of the Country Party Postmaster-General
		Liberal	Hon Alexander Downer for Angas		Minister for Immigration
		Liberal	Hon Sir Garfield Barwick for Parramatta		Attorney-General
		Country	Hon Charles Adermann for Fisher (in Cabinet from 4 February 1960)

Outer ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
		Country	Hon (Sir) Walter Cooper Senator for Queensland		Minister for Repatriation (to 29 December 1960)
		Liberal	Hon Dr Donald Cameron for Oxley		Minister for Health Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (from 4 February 1960)
		Liberal	Hon Frederick Osborne & Bar VRD for Evans		Minister for Air (to 29 December 1960) Minister for Repatriation (from 29 December 1960)
		Liberal	Hon John Cramer for Bennelong		Minister for the Army
		Country	Hon Hugh Roberton for Riverina
		Liberal	Hon Denham Henty Senator for Tasmania		Minister for Customs and Excise
		Liberal	Hon Gordon Freeth for Forrest		Minister for the Interior Minister for Works
		Liberal	Hon John Gorton Senator for Victoria		Minister for the Navy Minister assisting the Minister for External Affairs (from 23 February 1960)
		Liberal	Hon Alan Hulme for Petrie		Minister for Supply
		Liberal	Hon Hubert Opperman for Corio (in Ministry from 5 February 1960)		Chief Government Whip in the House (to 5 February 1960) Minister for Shipping and Transport (from 5 February 1960)
		Country	Hon Harrie Wade Senator for Victoria (in Ministry from 29 December 1960)		Minister for Air (from 29 December 1960)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ministries and Cabinets . Parliamentary Handbook . . 17 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008065519/http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p%3Bpage%3D0%3Bquery%3DScullin%20Ministry%20%28ALP%29%3Brec%3D0%3BresCount%3DDefault . 8 October 2012 . dmy.