Writing for the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Julian Leeser describes McMahon's prime ministership as "a blend of cautious innovation and fundamental orthodoxy".

[1] Defence and Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War was a prominent issue during the term of the Gorton government; funding for the arts was expanded, rates of pay were standardised between the men and women and the mining industry grew during the period.

Gorton departed the office of Prime Minister on 10 March 1971 after a tied Liberal party room vote of confidence in his leadership.

[3] On 8 March 1971, Fraser resigned and announced in parliament the following day that Gorton was "not fit to hold the great office of Prime Minister".

The McMahon Ministry was sworn in by Governor-General Paul Hasluck with Country Party leader Doug Anthony as Deputy Prime Minister.

[5] Bonner was chosen by the Liberal Party to fill a Senate vacancy in 1971 and celebrated his maiden parliamentary speech with a boomerang throwing display on the lawns of Parliament.

He worked on Indigenous and social welfare issues and proved an independent minded senator, often crossing the floor on parliamentary votes.

[6] Land rights were a topical issue during the term of the McMahon government and in 1972, Aboriginal protestors set up a Tent Embassy on the lawns in front of Parliament House.

In his first statement as foreign minister, Bury "stressed the paramount importance of Asia to Australia", warned against complacency over the Soviet naval presence in the Indian Ocean, and called on Japan to play a greater role in regional affairs.

[1] The McMahon government ended when Gough Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party out of its 23-year period in Opposition at 2 December 1972 election.

The charismatic Whitlam led an effective campaign that resulted in Labor securing 67 seats to the Coalition's 58, leaving McMahon as the first non-Labor leader to suffer an election defeat since 1946.