Prime Minister William (Billy) Hughes

Billy Hughes was prime minister of Australia from 27 October 1915 to 9 February 1923.

Holding the record for the longest-running continuous service to parliament, Billy Hughes spent 58 years in state and federal politics.

While Prime Minister during the First World War, he became known as the ‘Little Digger and was an advocate for compulsory military service. During his long, stormy career he chopped and changed his political ties, representing four different parties, three of which expelled him.