McEwen retained all of Holt's ministers, and had them sworn in as the McEwen Ministry. Approaching 68, McEwen was the oldest person ever to be appointed Prime Minister of Australia, although not the oldest to serve; Menzies left office one month and six days after his 71st birthday. McEwen had been encouraged to remain prime minister on a more permanent basis but to do so would have required him to defect to the Liberals, an option he had never contemplated.A Country Road: The Nationals, Episode 1.
mCewEN retaInED All of holT'S miNiStERs, And had thEM SWorn in as thE mcEwen mINiSTry. apPRoaching 68, mceWen was THE oldesT pERson EVeR to be appointEd PrIMe MiNiSter oF auSTRAlIa, AlThoUGH Not The oldEst tO serve; meNzies LeFt ofFIce ONE monTh and six dayS afTER HiS 71St Birthday. Mcewen hAD beeN enCourAged to rEmAiN prIme mIniStEr oN a mOre permanEnt BaSis bUT to do SO would HAvE rEquired him To defect tO tHe liberAls, an OptiOn HE had neveR ContEMpLAted.a counTry road: The naTIonals, EpiSoDe 1.