The Heffron ministry (1959–1962) or First Heffron ministry was the 59th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 30th Premier, Bob Heffron, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the first of two consecutive occasions when the Government was led by Heffron, as Premier.
Heffron ministry | |
|---|---|
 59th Cabinet of the State of New South Wales | |
 Premier Bob Heffron | |
| Date formed | 28 October 1959 |
| Date dissolved | 14 March 1962 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Sir Eric Woodward |
| Premier | Bob Heffron |
| Deputy Premier | Jack Renshaw |
| No. of ministers | 15 |
| Member party | Labor |
| Status in legislature | Majority government |
| Opposition party | Liberal/Country coalition |
| Opposition leader | Robert Askin |
| History | |
| Election | 1959 New South Wales election |
| Predecessor | Fourth Cahill ministry |
| Successor | Second Heffron ministry |
Heffron was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1930 and served continuously until 1968, representing the seats of Botany and Maroubra. Having served continuously as Minister for Emergency Services in the first McKell ministry, and Minister for Education in the second McKell ministry, and in the first, second, and third ministries of Jim McGirr, and then the first, second, third and fourth ministries of Joseph Cahill. Heffron served as Deputy Premier to Cahill between 1953 and 1959 until Cahill died in office on 22 October 1959. The following day, Heffron was elected as Labor Leader and became Premier, retaining Cahill's ministry intact. He had been narrowly been defeated in by McGirr in the leadership ballot in 1947.[1] Issues during this ministry were the appointment of H. V. Evatt as Chief Justice of New South Wales, an appointment that was widely seen as a means of giving him a dignified exit from politics.[2] Reg Downing, the Attorney General, refused to move the nomination in cabinet and the nomination was narrowly passed, 8 to 6.[3] The ministry also proposed to abolish the Legislative Council of New South Wales, however the 1961 referendum was rejected, with only 42.4% support.[4]
This ministry covers the period from 28 October 1959 until 14 March 1962,[5] when Heffron led Labor to victory at the 1962 state election.
Composition of ministry
editThe composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Heffron following his appointment as Premier on 23 October 1959, and covers the period until 14 March 1962, when the 1962 state election was held.
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.
See also
edit- Heffron ministries
- Second
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
- 1959–1962
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Retained portfolios from fourth Cahill ministry.
- ^ a b c d e f g h On 31 May 1960 Bob Heffron relinquished the portfolio of Education on 31 May 1960 triggering a series of portfolio changes. Ernest Wetherell replaced Heffron in Education, George Enticknap replaced Wetherell in Conservation, John McMahon replaced Enticknap in Transport and Jack Renshaw replaced McMahon, adding Lands to his portfolios.
- ^ a b On 31 May 1960 Reg Downing relinquished the portfolio of Justice, replaced by Jack Mannix
- ^ a b c On 3 March 1961 Roger Nott resigned from the Legislative Assembly to accept an offer of appointment as Administrator of the Northern Territory by the Menzies coalition government.[6] Jack Renshaw added Agriculture to his responsibilities and relinquished Lands, replaced by Keith Compton following a narrow victory in caucus.[7]
References
edit- ^ Carr, Bob (1996). "Heffron, Robert James (1890–1978)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ^ Weeks, Phillipa (2000). "Owen, Sir William Francis (1899–1972)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ Williams, Evan (2006). "Robert James Heffron". In David Clune; Ken Turner (eds.). The Premiers of New South Wales, 1856–2005: Volume 2. Leichardt: The Federation Press. p. 317. ISBN 978-1-86287-549-4.
- ^ "Constitution Further Amendment (Referendum) Act, 1930". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 19 May 1961. p. 1510. Retrieved 26 June 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "N.S.W. Minister to be N.T. Administrator". The Canberra Times. 14 February 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2021 – via Trove.
- ^ "Cabinet post causes crisis". The Canberra Times. 24 February 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 15 December 2021 – via Trove.