Sir John Forrest had been the Premier of Western Australia. His death in 1918 led to a by-election in 1918. Kim Beazley served as a Minister in the Bob Hawke Government. He became Leader of the Opposition from 1996 to 2001, and from 2005 to 2006. He was also Deputy Prime Minister in 1995 and 1996. After retiring from politics he became the Australian Ambassador to the United States.