The First Holt Ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 41st ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 17th Prime Minister, Harold Holt. The First Holt ministry succeeded the Tenth Menzies ministry, which dissolved on 26 January 1966 following the retirement of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. The ministry was replaced by the Second Holt ministry on 14 December 1966 following the 1966 federal election.
As of 20 December 2020, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the First Holt ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies government, the Second Holt ministry, and the McEwen, Gorton, and McMahon governments, as well as the First Fraser ministry. James Forbes was the last surviving Liberal minister, and Allen Fairhall and Charles Barnes were the last surviving Liberal and Country Cabinet ministers respectively.
Cabinet PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal Harold Holt for Higgins Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party Country John McEwen for Murray Leader of the Country Party Minister for Trade and Industry Liberal William McMahon for Lowe Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Treasurer Liberal Paul Hasluck for Curtin Minister for External Affairs Country Charles Adermann for Fisher Deputy Leader of the Country Party (to 10 December 1966) Minister for Primary Industry Liberal Allen Fairhall for Paterson Minister for Defence Liberal Denham Henty Senator for Tasmania Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister for Supply Liberal Alan Hulme for Petrie Postmaster-General Vice-President of the Executive Council Liberal David Fairbairn for Farrer Minister for National Development Leader of the House (to October 1966) Country Charles Barnes for McPherson Minister for Territories Liberal John Gorton Senator for Victoria Minister for Works Minister in charge of Commonwealth Activities in Education and Research under the Prime Minister Liberal Les Bury for Wentworth Minister for Labour and National Service
Outer ministry PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal Gordon Freeth for Forrest Minister for Shipping and Transport Liberal Reginald Swartz for Darling Downs Minister for Civil Aviation Liberal Hubert Opperman for Corio Minister for Immigration Liberal Billy Snedden for Bruce Attorney-General Liberal Dr James Forbes for Barker Minister for Health Country Doug Anthony for Richmond Minister for the Interior Liberal Fred Chaney for Perth Minister for the Navy Liberal Peter Howson for Fawkner Minister for Air Minister assisting the Treasurer Liberal Ken Anderson Senator for New South Wales Minister for Customs and Excise Country Colin McKellar Senator for New South Wales Minister for Repatriation Country Ian Sinclair for New England Minister for Social Services Liberal Dame Annabelle Rankin Senator for Queensland Chief Government Whip in the Senate (to 8 March 1966) Minister for Housing Liberal Malcolm Fraser for Wannon Minister for the Army
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