The first Whitlam Ministry (Labor) was the 47th ministry of the Government of Australia. Often known as the "two-man ministry" or the "duumvirate", it was led by the country's 21st prime minister, Gough Whitlam. The first Whitlam ministry succeeded the McMahon Ministry, which dissolved on 5 December 1972 following the federal election that took place on 2 December which saw Labor defeat William McMahon's Liberal–Country Coalition. The ministry was replaced by the second Whitlam ministry on 19 December 1972.