1972 Liberal Party of Australia leadership election

An election for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia took place on 20 December 1972, following former Prime Minister William McMahon's resignation after his defeat at the 1972 federal election. Billy Snedden was successful in winning the leadership, narrowly beating Nigel Bowen by 30 votes to 29 on the fifth ballot. The previous ballot was tied at 29 each, with one MP not voting. James Killen, John Gorton, and Malcolm Fraser had earlier been eliminated from contention, in that order.

Candidates

 * Nigel Bowen, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Member for Parramatta
 * Malcolm Fraser, former Minister for Education and Science, Member for Wannon
 * John Gorton, former Leader and Prime Minister, Member for Higgins
 * James Killen, former Minister for the Navy, Member for Moreton
 * Billy Snedden, incumbent Deputy Leader and former Treasurer, Member for Bruce

Results
The following table gives the ballot result:

Deputy leadership ballot
Other candidates in order of elimination:


 * Malcolm Fraser
 * Jim Forbes
 * Don Chipp
 * James Killen