Strange things happen to Australian prime ministers. One (Harold Holt, 1966-67) disappeared while swimming near a Melbourne beach; speculation says he may have been eaten by a shark.

Another (John Gorton, 1968-71) willingly voted himself out of office when some colleagues turned against him.

Then there was Gough Whitlam (1972-75), dismissed by the U.K. queen-appointed governor general in Canberra.