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Today in History: Alfred Deakin succeeds Barton as Australia’s second PM

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:38 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On 24 September 1903, Alfred Deakin succeeded Edmund Barton as Australia’s second prime minister after Barton resigned to become a founding justice of the newly created High Court. Deakin, leader of the Protectionist Party, began his first term, marking a pivotal shift in the young nation’s executive and judicial leadership.

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Story summary

On 24 September 1903, Alfred Deakin succeeded Edmund Barton as Australia’s second prime minister after Barton resigned to become a founding justice of the newly created High Court. Deakin, leader of the Protectionist Party, began his first term, marking a pivotal shift in the young nation’s executive and judicial leadership.