William McMahon Liberal/Country coalition Gough Whitlam Labor The 1972 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 2 December 1972.

Whitlam became the first Labor leader after World War II to lead the party to victory from opposition before Bob Hawke in 1983, Kevin Rudd in 2007 and Anthony Albanese in 2022.

However, Australian economic prosperity during the post-war period of the 1950s and 1960s led to the emergence of a range of "quality of life" issues regarding urban development, education, and healthcare.

However, protests grew as the consequences of the war became apparent and the likelihood of a US-led victory diminished.

Liberal policies on Vietnam focused on the need to contain the spread of communism, but the gradual US and Australian troop withdrawal undermined this position.

Finally, the incumbent Prime Minister William McMahon was no match for Whitlam, a witty and powerful orator.

[2] The Coalition government strongly opposed the opening of full diplomatic relationship with Beijing during Mao Zedong's regime.

The 1972 election ended 23 years of Liberal-Country rule, the longest unbroken run in government in Australian history.

The new ruling Labor Party sought to ease the complicated tension between Australia and China[5] The new Labor Government of Gough Whitlam was eager to make long-planned reforms, although it struggled against a lack of experience in its cabinet and the onset of the 1973 oil crisis and 1973–75 recession.