At the end of his term in 1963, who was Australia's longest serving Prime Minister?

At the end of his term in 1963, Robert Menzies was Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister.

Menzies served as prime minister twice: first from 1939 to 1941, and again from 1949 to 1966. His second period in office followed the Liberal–Country coalition's victory in the 1949 federal election and lasted more than 16 years.

Although the question refers to 1963, Menzies did not actually leave office that year. He won the 1963 election and continued as prime minister until retiring on 26 January 1966. His total time in office was 18 years and 163 days, still the Australian record.

A common mix-up is confusing the end of the 1963 election cycle with the end of Menzies's premiership. He was also Australia's first leader of the newly formed Liberal Party, which he helped establish in 1944.