A Gallipoli veteran and experienced businessman, Stanley Melbourne Bruce (later Viscount Bruce of Melbourne) entered Parliament in 1918. Within little more than four years he was Prime Minister. Among his enduring achievements was the coalition agreement between the non-Labor parties. He oversaw Parliament’s move to Canberra in 1927, but lost his seat at the 1929 election, and after winning it back in 1931 had little real influence. Outmanoeuvred by Joe Lyons after the fall of the Scullin government, he was unwillingly sent to London as high commissioner and represented Australia at the League of Nations.
