As a young socialist and radical idealist, John Curtin dreamed of achieving a 'fair go' for all Australians. Yet when he finally became prime minister on 7 October 1941 his new government was in a precarious position - with no majority in either the House of Representatives or the Senate and reliant on two Independents for power - and within weeks had to declare war on Japan and prepare Australians for an 'all in' war footing. No situation could have seemed less auspicious for achieving his idealistic vision for Australia.

Curtin strongly believed 'the peace must be won for the masses; the workers; the producers; the soldiers.' (1) Idealistic but not naive, Curtin was a 'sensible, talented and practical professional politician with a clear and instinctive grasp of the ways of power' (2). Using his skills and political savvy he managed to convert the challenge of a wartime prime ministership into an opportunity to realize many of his lifelong aspirations and turned a potentially disastrous situation into a legacy of social and economic achievement for all Australians.

'Taken over' cartoon by John Frith, published in the Bulletin on 8 October 1941. The two previous Australian prime ministers, Robert Menzies and Arthur Fadden, greet the new proprietor of Australia and Co, John Curtin, exchanging 'V for Victory' signs.
(Courtesy Frith family)