On 8 March 1971, Defence MinisterMalcolm Fraserresigned from cabinet, supposedly over Gorton's failure to support him in a dispute with Chief of the General StaffThomas Daly.The following day, Fraser gave a statement to theHouse of Representativesin which he excoriated Gorton and called him "not fit to hold the great office of prime minister". Fraser's actions brought to a head tensions over Gorton's leadership style, particularly what his opponents viewed as his lack of consultation with cabinet. In response, Gorton called a partyroom meeting for 10 a.m. on 10 March.[1][2]
The partyroom meeting began with an open debate on the leadership. Gorton, who was chairing the meeting, then called for avote of confidencein his leadership, which was tied at 33 votes in favour and 33 votes opposed. Gorton supporterDuke Bonnettwas the only absentee (due to illness); had he been present, Gorton would have received 34 votes. Under party rules of the time, Gorton could have retained the leadership. However, Gorton resigned, saying a tie vote was not a vote of confidence. He turned to Foreign Affairs MinisterWilliam McMahonand nominated him for the leadership, to the applause of his colleagues;Billy Snedden,the Minister for Labour and National Service, was the only other nominee. McMahon – who had been deputy leader of the Liberal Partysince 1966– defeated Snedden with whatThe Canberra Timescalled "a comparatively small majority".[3]The exact result was kept secret, as was the party's practice at the time, but has been estimated to have been 40 votes for McMahon to 26 for Snedden.[4]
After McMahon was elected as leader, there was a second ballot to elect his successor as deputy leader. Somewhat unexpectedly, Gorton put himself forward as a candidate and was elected, defeating Malcolm Fraser and backbencherDavid Fairbairn.McMahon was sworn in as prime minister by Governor-GeneralPaul Haslucklater that afternoon;his full ministrywas not sworn in until 22 March.[3]
