Askin–Cutler ministry (1965–1968)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1965–1968) or First Askin ministry was the 62nd ministry of the government of New South Wales, and was led by the 32nd Premier, Bob Askin, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by Charles Cutler. The ministry was the first occasion in the history of government in New South Wales that the Liberal and Country Party formed a coalition in government. It was also the first of six occasions when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.

Background

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Askin was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1975, representing variously the seats of Collaroy and Pittwater. Rising through the Liberal Party ranks, Askin served as Deputy Leader from 1954 until he was elected Leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Leader of the NSW Opposition, following the defeat of the Morton/Hughes–led coalition by Cahill's Labor at the 1959 election.[1] Cutler was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1947 and served continuously up until 1975, representing the seat of Orange. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1958 and, like Askin, Cutler was elected as leader of his party following the 1959 state election, replacing Davis Hughes. The Askin/Cutler–led Liberal/Country coalition was defeated at the 1962 election by Labor's Bob Heffron.[2] In April 1964 Jack Renshaw replaced Heffron as Leader of the Labor Party and became Premier. Twelve months later, Renshaw called an election held on 13 May 1965; however after 24 years of consecutive Labor governments, Askin and Cutler led the coalition to government at the 1965 state election.[3]

Composition of ministry

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This ministry covers the period from 13 May 1965 until 5 March 1968,[4] when Askin and Cutler led the Liberal/Country coalition to a second term at the 1968 state election, defeating Labor, again led by Jack Renshaw.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier
Treasurer
Bob Askin   Liberal 13 May 1965 5 March 1968 2 years, 297 days
Deputy Premier
Minister for Education
Minister for Science
Charles Cutler   Country
Minister for Labour and Industry
Chief Secretary
Minister for Tourist Activities
Eric Willis   Liberal
Minister for Child Welfare
Minister for Social Welfare
Advisory Minister for Transport
Vice-president of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
Arthur Bridges, MLC
Minister for Agriculture Bill Chaffey   Country
Attorney General Ken McCaw   Liberal
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Highways
Pat Morton
Minister for Public Works Davis Hughes   Country
Minister for Transport Milton Morris   Liberal
Minister for Decentralisation and Development John Fuller, MLC   Country
Minister for Lands Tom Lewis   Liberal
Minister for Mines 27 June 1967 2 years, 45 days
Wal Fife 27 June 1967 5 March 1968 252 days
Minister for Conservation Jack Beale Liberal 13 May 1965 5 March 1968 2 years, 297 days
Minister for Housing
Minister for Co-operative Societies
Stanley Stephens   Country
Minister of Justice John Maddison   Liberal
Minister for Health Harry Jago
Assistant Minister for Education Wal Fife 27 June 1967 2 years, 45 days

  Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Goot, Murray. "Askin, Sir Robert William (Bob) (1907–1981)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  2. ^ Green, Antony. "1962 Totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. ^ Green, Antony. "1965 election totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.

 

Preceded by
Renshaw ministry
(1964–1965)
First Askin–Cutler ministry
1965–1968
Succeeded by