Patrick Mullins, ‘A question that had to be asked and answered’ How did Billy McMahon reach the top of Australian politics?

Often described as one of Australia’s weakest Prime Ministers, Billy McMahon nevertheless makes for a fascinating biographical subject. A notorious leaker who made far more enemies than friends, McMahon’s climb to the top position of Australian political leadership is one of the most surprising and remarkable achievements in Australian politics. For all of his flaws, McMahon was a man of great perseverance, work-ethic, and drive, and on a number of policy positions, particularly that of free trade, he was actually more perceptive and forward thinking than his colleagues. While McMahon is best remembered for losing 1972 election, even that epoch defining result was a far closer fight than the popular memory would allow.