The First Gorton ministry (Liberal–Country Coalition) was the 44th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 19th Prime Minister, John Gorton. The First Gorton ministry succeeded the McEwen ministry, which dissolved on 10 January 1968 following the election of Gorton as Liberal leader after the disappearance of former Prime Minister Harold Holt. The ministry was replaced by the Second Gorton ministry on 12 November 1969 following the 1969 federal election.
As of 1 May 2025, Ian Sinclair is the last surviving member of the First Gorton ministry; Sinclair is also the last surviving minister of the Menzies, Holt, McEwen, and McMahon governments, as well as the Second Gorton and the First Fraser ministries. James Forbes was the last surviving Liberal minister, and Malcolm Fraser was the last surviving Liberal Cabinet minister.
Cabinet PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Liberal John Gorton Senator for Victoria
for Higgins Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party Leader of the Government in the Senate (to 1 February 1968) Minister for Education and Science (to 28 February 1968) Country John McEwen for Murray Deputy Prime Minister 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 (to 11 February 1969) Liberal Allen Fairhall for Paterson Minister for Defence Country Doug Anthony for Richmond Deputy Leader of the Country Party Minister for Primary Industry Liberal Denham Henty Senator for Tasmania Minister for Supply (to 28 February 1968) Liberal Alan Hulme for Petrie Postmaster-General Vice-President of the Executive Council Liberal David Fairbairn for Farrer Minister for National Development Liberal Les Bury for Wentworth Minister for Labour and National Service Country Ian Sinclair for New England Minister for Social Services (to 28 February 1968) Minister for Shipping and Transport (from 28 February 1968) Minister assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry Liberal Ken Anderson Senator for New South Wales (in Cabinet from 28 February 1968) Minister for Customs and Excise (to 28 February 1968) Leader of the Government in the Senate (from 28 February 1968) Minister for Supply (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Malcolm Fraser for Wannon (in Cabinet from 28 February 1968) Minister for the Army (to 28 February 1968) Minister for Education and Science (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Gordon Freeth for Forrest (in Cabinet from 11 February 1969) Minister for Shipping and Transport (to 28 February 1968) Minister for Air (from 28 February 1968 to 13 February 1969) Minister assisting the Treasurer (from 28 February 1968 to 13 February 1969) Minister for External Affairs (from 11 February 1969)
Outer ministry PartyMinisterPortraitPortfolio Country Charles Barnes for McPherson Minister for Territories (to 28 February 1968) Minister for External Territories (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Reginald Swartz for Darling Downs Minister for Civil Aviation Minister assisting the Treasurer (from 13 February 1969) Liberal Billy Snedden for Bruce Minister for Immigration Leader of the House (to February 1969) Liberal James Forbes for Barker Minister for Health Liberal Peter Howson for Fawkner Minister for Air (to 28 February 1968) Minister assisting the Treasurer (to 28 February 1968) Country Colin McKellar Senator for New South Wales Minister for Repatriation Liberal Dame Annabelle Rankin Senator for Queensland Minister for Housing Liberal Nigel Bowen for Parramatta Attorney-General Liberal Don Chipp for Higinbotham Minister for the Navy (to 28 February 1968) Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry (to 28 February 1968) Liberal Bert Kelly for Wakefield Minister for Works (to 28 February 1968) Minister for the Navy (from 28 February 1968) Country Peter Nixon for Gippsland Minister for the Interior Liberal Phillip Lynch for Flinders (in Ministry from 28 February 1968) Minister for the Army (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Malcolm Scott Senator for Western Australia (in Ministry from 28 February 1968) Chief Government Whip in the Senate (to 12 February 1968) Minister for Customs and Excise (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Bill Wentworth for Mackellar (in Ministry from 28 February 1968) Minister for Social Services (from 28 February 1968) Minister in charge of Aboriginal Affairs under the Prime Minister (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Reg Wright Senator for Tasmania (in Ministry from 28 February 1968) Minister for Works (from 28 February 1968) Minister in charge of Tourist Activities under the Minister for Trade and Industry (from 28 February 1968) Liberal Dudley Erwin for Ballaarat (in Ministry from 13 February 1969) Chief Government Whip in the House (to 12 February 1969) Minister for Air (from 13 February 1969)
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