Andrew Fisher

Andrew Fisher became Prime Minister of Australia for the first time on November 13, 1908, leading a minority Labor government. His government lasted only seven months before losing a vote of confidence, but it laid the groundwork for future Labor reforms.

Fisher led the Labor Party to victory in the 1910 federal election, winning a majority in both houses of parliament. His government enacted significant reforms, including the establishment of the Commonwealth Bank, old-age pensions, and a progressive land tax.

Fisher's government passed the Commonwealth Bank Act in 1911, establishing the Commonwealth Bank of Australia as a government-owned bank. The bank was designed to provide banking services to the public and to manage the nation's finances, a key Labor reform.

Fisher became Prime Minister for the third time in September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War I. He led Australia into the war, pledging support to Britain and overseeing the initial mobilization of Australian forces, including the Australian Imperial Force.

Fisher resigned as Prime Minister on October 27, 1915, to become the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. His resignation was partly due to the strains of war leadership and internal party divisions over conscription.