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| 1936–45 |
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| Baron Gowrie, governor-general. | 1 |
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| 1936, May 23 |
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| A new and higher tariff was introduced, to replace the more modest tariff of 1932. The new schedule led to considerable friction with Japan, whose textiles were hard hit, but by an agreement of Dec. 27 the Australian government agreed to take as many Japanese textile products as in 1934, in return for Japanese purchase of a specified amount of Australian wool. | 2 |
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| 1937, Oct. 23 |
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| The Lyons-Page government won a sound victory in the elections (United Australia Party 28 seats; Country Party 17; Labour 29). The outstanding issue of the elections was the defense problem, the government advancing a program of naval construction, Labour calling for emphasis on air armaments and less dependence on Great Britain. Establishment of the first airplane factory. Appointment of an Australian counselor at the British embassy in Washington. | 3 |
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| 1939, April 7 |
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| Death of Lyons, who was succeeded by Sir Earle Page. | 4 |
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| April 24 |
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| Robert G. Menzies formed a new government. | 5 |
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| Sept. 3 |
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| When Britain declared war on Germany, Australia unhesitatingly joined the mother country and arranged for assistance of all kinds. | 6 |
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