Damon Mcknight
The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of the government of the Commonwealth of Australia and is formally appointed by the governor-general. While there has been little academic interest in ranking Australian prime ministers, several surveys of academics and the general public have been conducted to evaluate and rank their performance. In these surveys, respondents have been asked to place prime ministers in categories or assign them points based on their performance. Some of the prime ministers who have been ranked highly in these surveys include John Curtin, Ben Chifley, Alfred Deakin, and Robert Menzies. Other prime ministers who have been mentioned in discussions of top-performing leaders include Gough Whitlam, Andrew Fisher, Paul Keating, and John Howard. More recent prime ministers, such as Julia Gillard, Scott Morrison, and Anthony Albanese, have also been the subject of public opinion polls and rankings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Longevity in office | Important, but what they do with the office is more so |
| Initiating or consolidating major policy settlements | Initiators or consolidators of major policy settlements were top-ranked |
| Nurturing national unity | Strongly correlated with a favourable overall rating |
| Good policies and implementation | Whitlam had good policies but terrible implementation; Hawke came along to solidify them |
| Tough reforms | Keating introduced tough reforms that quickly increased prosperity for some Australians during Howard's term |
| Leaving the country in a strong position | Howard left the country in the strongest position ever |
| High approval ratings | Bob Hawke had the highest approval rating in November 1984, at 75% |
| Handling foreign policy | Anthony Albanese is ranked the highest of all prime ministers, with 83% of Australians saying he is doing a 'very good' or 'reasonable' job |
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What You'll Learn
Leadership and legacy
In 1992, The Canberra Times asked almost 300 political scientists and historians to nominate the five greatest prime ministers in Australian history. Ben Chifley received the most points in the survey, although Alfred Deakin was nominated as the greatest prime minister by the most respondents. Deakin was also the unanimous choice in a similar survey conducted by the Australian Financial Review in 2001.
In 2010, a team of researchers from Monash University asked academics in the fields of Australian politics or history to place prime ministers in five categories. John Curtin received the highest average rating and was the only prime minister to whom no respondents gave a rating lower than "good". In the 2020 replication of this survey, Bob Hawke had the highest approval rating in November 1984, with 75%.
A good Australian prime minister should be able to initiate or consolidate major policy settlements. Nurturing national unity is also an important aspect of leadership, as it strongly correlates with a favourable overall rating.
One year into his role, Anthony Albanese has been ranked the highest of all prime ministers in handling foreign policy, with 83% of Australians saying he is doing a "very good" or "reasonable" job.
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Policy implementation
Vision and Strategy
A good prime minister should have a clear and well-defined vision for the country's future. They should be able to articulate this vision effectively and develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve it. This includes setting realistic goals, identifying the necessary resources, and coordinating efforts across various government departments and stakeholders.
Effective Governance
The implementation of policies requires strong governance and coordination within the government. A good prime minister should ensure that the necessary structures and processes are in place to execute policies efficiently. This includes establishing clear roles and responsibilities, fostering collaboration among ministers and government agencies, and ensuring adequate oversight and accountability.
Adaptability and Flexibility
The ability to adapt policies to changing circumstances is essential. A good prime minister should be able to recognise when adjustments are needed and be willing to make those changes. This may involve responding to new information, economic shifts, or feedback from the public. By being adaptable, the prime minister can ensure that policies remain relevant and effective over time.
Strong Communication
Effective communication is crucial for successful policy implementation. A good prime minister should be able to clearly articulate the objectives of the policies to the public, gaining their understanding and support. Additionally, regular updates and transparent reporting on the progress and impact of the policies can help maintain trust and engagement.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
Engaging with stakeholders, including community groups, industry experts, and affected individuals, is vital for successful policy implementation. A good prime minister should actively seek input from these stakeholders, incorporating their insights and perspectives into the policy design and execution. This collaborative approach can help ensure that policies are practical, acceptable to those affected, and responsive to the needs of the community.
Monitoring and Evaluation
A good prime minister should establish robust monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the effectiveness of implemented policies. This involves setting key performance indicators, collecting relevant data, and conducting regular reviews. By closely monitoring the impact of policies, the prime minister can identify areas for improvement and make evidence-based adjustments to maximise the likelihood of achieving the desired outcomes.
In conclusion, policy implementation is a complex and dynamic process, and a good Australian prime minister should possess the skills, adaptability, and commitment to drive policies that positively impact the lives of Australians.
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Longevity and performance
While there is little academic interest in ranking Australian prime ministers, several surveys of academics and the general public have been conducted to evaluate and rank their performance.
In 1992, The Canberra Times asked political scientists and historians to nominate the five greatest prime ministers in Australian history. Ben Chifley received the most points in the survey and was judged the winner. In 2001, The Australian Financial Review asked historians to name the best and worst prime ministers since 1901. Alfred Deakin was chosen as Australia's best prime minister, receiving full votes from each selector.
In 2010, a team of researchers from Monash University asked academics to rank Australia's prime ministers from "outstanding" to "failure". John Curtin received the highest average rating and was the only prime minister whom no respondents rated lower than "good". The 2020 replication of this survey saw John Curtin maintain his high ranking, followed by Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam, and Paul Keating.
Although longevity in office is important, experts agree that what a prime minister achieves during their tenure is more significant. For example, Robert Menzies and John Howard are among Australia's three most durable prime ministers, yet they are not ranked as highly as one might expect. Conversely, Gough Whitlam, who served for a much shorter period, is considered a "reforming titan" for his dramatic modernisation of Australia in the early 1970s.
A prime minister's performance in nurturing national unity also strongly correlates with a favourable overall rating. For instance, one year into Anthony Albanese's term, 83% of Australians approved of his handling of foreign policy, ranking him the highest of all prime ministers on this measure.
In conclusion, while longevity in office is a factor in assessing a prime minister's performance, it is more important for a leader to initiate or consolidate major policy settlements and foster national unity during their tenure.
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Popularity and approval
One survey conducted by Monash University in 2010 asked academics in the fields of Australian politics and history to rate prime ministers on a scale of one to five, with John Curtin receiving the highest average rating of 4.78 out of 5. The survey was replicated in 2020, with a similar outcome, indicating a consistent approval for Curtin's leadership.
In addition to academic surveys, opinion polls also play a significant role in measuring a prime minister's popularity. For example, the Nielsen Poll, available since 1972, has shown varying approval ratings for different prime ministers. Bob Hawke achieved the highest approval rating in November 1984, with 75%William McMahon had the lowest rating at 34%
Public perception of a prime minister can also be influenced by their policy decisions and their impact on the country. For instance, Paul Keating introduced tough reforms that were initially unpopular but later contributed to increased prosperity during Howard's term. Similarly, Gough Whitlam's government in the early 1970s was known for its dramatic modernisation of Australia, earning Whitlam a place in the top tier of prime ministers.
The performance of a prime minister is also evaluated based on their ability to nurture national unity. While Howard achieved success in other areas, his below-average result in this category may have impacted his overall ranking.
In summary, popularity and approval are crucial aspects of a prime minister's success, shaped by various factors such as policy implementation, modernisation efforts, and their ability to unite the nation. While academic surveys and opinion polls provide insights into public sentiment, it is the tangible impact of a prime minister's actions that ultimately defines their legacy.
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Academic interest and public opinion
There has been little academic interest in ranking Australian prime ministers, with only a few surveys conducted on the topic. In 1992, The Canberra Times surveyed almost 300 political scientists and historians, asking them to nominate the five greatest prime ministers in Australian history. Ben Chifley received the most points in this survey, although Alfred Deakin was nominated as the greatest prime minister by the most respondents. Deakin was also the unanimous choice as Australia's best prime minister in a 2001 survey conducted by The Australian Financial Review, with Robert Menzies also appearing on every "best" list.
In 2010 and 2020, researchers from Monash University surveyed academics teaching or researching Australian politics or history, asking them to place prime ministers into five categories ranging from "outstanding" to "failure". John Curtin received the highest average rating in the 2010 survey, and was the only prime minister whom no respondents rated lower than "good". The 2020 survey also asked participants to rate prime ministers in nine performance areas.
Public opinion on Australia's best prime minister varies. In a Guardian article from 2021, Gough Whitlam, Edmund Barton, Paul Keating, John Curtin, Bob Hawke, Alfred Deakin, John Howard, Ben Chifley, Robert Menzies, and Andrew Fisher were listed as former prime ministers. The article noted that while longevity in office is important, what a leader does with their time in office is more significant. The article also highlighted that all of the top-ranked leaders were either initiators or consolidators of major policy settlements, and that a high score for nurturing national unity correlated with a favourable overall rating.
In a 2023 Reddit discussion, users ranked Australia's prime ministers post-WWII. While some praised Hawke for solidifying Whitlam's policies and his choice of treasurer, others criticised Whitlam for poor implementation. Keating was also mentioned, with some users noting that while his tough reforms were initially unpopular, they increased prosperity during Howard's term.
According to a Lowy Institute Poll, one year into Anthony Albanese's term as prime minister, 83% of Australians said he was doing a "very good" or "reasonable" job handling foreign policy, the highest ranking of all prime ministers on this measure.
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Frequently asked questions
Although there is little academic interest in ranking Australian Prime Ministers, surveys indicate that a good Prime Minister is one who initiates or consolidates major policy settlements and nurtures national unity.
Some of the best Australian Prime Ministers include Alfred Deakin, Robert Menzies, Ben Chifley, and John Curtin.
John Curtin received the highest average rating in a 2010 survey of academics, and was the only Prime Minister to whom no respondents gave a rating lower than "good".
A good Prime Minister in a crisis is one who can adapt to the situation and make tangible policy achievements. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received the highest ranking of all prime ministers in his handling of foreign policy.
