the party was quite powerful during the 1940s, 1950's and 1960s. because it worked closely with the united australia and later liberal party, three national leaders - earle page, arthur fadden and john mcewen - were prime minister for a short time. the party is strongest in queensland, where it has had several state premiers. in 2008, the liberal party and national party came together in queensland and are now called the "liberal national party of queensland".