What really happened to Harold Holt

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A.� Harold Edward Holt was the Australian Prime Minister who vanished. Most likely he drowned, but some say he was a Communist spy, spirited away to the mysterious East.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� A bit more background first

A.� Holt, born 1908, was a solicitor by profession. He entered Parliament as a member of the United Australia Party after a by-election for the Victorian seat of Fawkner in 1935. Four years later he became Minister for Supply and Development in Robert Menzies' first government.

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When war broke out in 1939, Holt resigned from the ministry to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. But he was recalled to the government after the death of three senior ministers in an aircraft accident in August, 1940, and appointed Minister for Labour and National Service.

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Q.� After the war

A.� Holt served throughout the 16 years of the Menzies government (1949-1966), as Minister for Immigration (1949-1956), for Labour and National Service (1949-1958) and Treasurer (1958-1966). Holt became Leader of the Liberal Party, and Prime Minister, upon Menzies' retirement in January 1966.

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Q.� It was a successful period of office

A.� Not especially, but it was noteworthy for Holt's strong support of America's involvement in Vietnam. One of his first acts as PM was to increase the size of the Australian forces in Vietnam by one third. He also introduced decimal currency - dollars and cents - on 14 February, 1966.

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Q.� And his disappearance

A.� Holt, an active sportsman, went swimming in heavy seas off Portsea in Victoria on 17 December, 1967. A group of friends watched as he suddenly disappeared from view. His body was never recovered. A joint report by Commonwealth and Victoria Police, submitted the next January, concluded: 'There has been no indication that the disappearance of the late Mr Holt was anything other than accidental.'

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Q.� His final moments

A.� The report found that his last movements followed a routine domestic pattern, his demeanour had been normal and the high winds, rough seas and rip tides overcame him - despite his knowledge of the beach.

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Q.� Why was no body found

A.� It was suggested that it might have been eaten by marine life, carried out to sea by tides or wedged in a rock crevice. Holt's memorial service in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, on 22 December, was attended by the Prince of Wales, American President Lyndon B Johnson, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and other heads of state and government.

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Q.� So what about this spy theory

A.� The mysterious circumstances of Holt's death sparked many rumours: some thought he might have committed suicide. Other wilder stories claimed foreign frogmen had assassinated him and his body had been found with a bullet in it.

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Then a book made startling allegations. It claimed a young Holt - who had grown accustomed to a life of luxury - was recruited as a spy for red China. For 30 years he provided top intelligence about Australia's domestic and foreign policies and those of her allies.

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But he wanted out - and an enemy mini-submarine whisked him away to spend the rest of his days in China.

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Steve Cunningham

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