Holt was born in Sydney , but lived in Melbourne from a young age . He was the first prime minister born in the 20th century . He studied law at the University of Melbourne and eventually opened his own legal practice . Holt entered parliament at the Fawkner by-election in 1935 , standing for the United Australia Party ( UAP ) . He was a protégé of Robert Menzies , and was added to cabinet when Menzies became prime minister in 1939 . Aged only 30 at the time of his appointment , he held a series of minor portfolios until the government 's defeat in 1941 , under both Menzies and Arthur Fadden . Holt 's tenure was interrupted by a brief stint in the Australian Army , which ended when he was recalled to cabinet following the deaths of three ministers in the 1940 Canberra air disaster . He joined the new Liberal Party upon its creation in 1945
1940 Canberra air disaster
1940 Canberra air disaster
Harold Holt