Who were Australia’s youngest and oldest prime ministers?
Chris Watson
NAA: A1200, L11176A
Chris Watson
NAA: A1200, L11176A
Description
Australia's third Prime Minister, Chris Watson.
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The youngest person to be Australian prime minister was John Christian Watson who was known as Chris Watson. He was 37 years and 18 days old when he was sworn-in as prime minister. Watson was Australia’s first Labor prime minister, holding office for 4 months in 1904.
The oldest person to become prime minister was John McEwen, who was 68 when he took office. He acted in the role for 23 days after the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt until the Liberal Party chose a new leader.
Although he became prime minister at a younger age, Robert Menzies was the oldest person to hold the office, retiring while prime minister at the age of 71.