The McKell ministry (1944–1947) or Second McKell ministry was the 51st ministry of the New South Wales Government , and was led by the 27th Premier , William McKell , of the Labor Party . The ministry was the second of two occasions when the Government was led by McKell, as Premier.
McKell was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1917 and served continuously until 1947, when he resigned to become the 12th Governor-General of Australia . Having served as a junior minister in the first and third ministries of Jack Lang , during the 1930s McKell came to oppose Lang's dictatorial rule and critical of electoral failures. In 1939 McKell displaced Lang as Labor leader and NSW Leader of the Opposition .[ 1] [ 2] McKell led Labor to victory at the 1941 state election , defeating the United Australia Party / Country Party coalition of Alexander Mair and Michael Bruxner . McKell and his government were re-elected for a subsequent term at the 1944 state election .[ 3]
This ministry covers the period from 8 June 1944 until 6 February 1947[ 4] [ 5] when McKell resigned to become Governor-General of Australia. McKell was succeeded by Jim McGirr .[ 2]
Composition of ministry
The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McKell on 8 June 1944. There was a minor reshuffle in May 1946 following the appointment of Jack Tully as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.[ 6]
Portfolio
Minister
Party
Term commence
Term end
Term of office
Premier Treasurer
William McKell [ a]
Labor
8 June 1944
6 February 1947
2 years, 243 days
Deputy Premier Chief Secretary Secretary for Mines Minister for National Emergency Services
Jack Baddeley [ b]
Minister for Education
Bob Heffron
Attorney–General
Clarrie Martin , KC [ a]
Minister for Conservation
Bill Dunn
9 May 1946
1 year, 335 days
George Weir
9 May 1946
6 February 1947
273 days
Minister for Labour and Industry and Social Services
Hamilton Knight [ a]
8 June 1944
6 February 1947
2 years, 243 days
Minister of Justice Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council
Reg Downing , MLC [ a]
Secretary for Public Works Minister for Local Government
Joseph Cahill [ c]
Minister for Health
Gus Kelly [ a]
Minister for Housing
Jim McGirr [ a]
Secretary for Lands
Jack Tully [ a] [ d]
9 May 1946
1 year, 335 days
Bill Dunn
9 May 1946
6 February 1947
273 days
Minister for Transport
Maurice O'Sullivan [ a]
8 June 1944
6 February 1947
2 years, 243 days
Minister for Agriculture
Eddie Graham
Minister in Charge of Tourist Activities and Immigration
Clive Evatt
9 May 1946
6 February 1947
273 days
Assistant Minister
8 June 1944
9 May 1946
1 year, 335 days
William Dickson , MLC [ a]
6 February 1947
2 years, 243 days
George Weir
25 February 1946
9 May 1946
73 days
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.
^ a b c d e f g h i Retained portfolios from First McKell ministry.
^ Retained portfolios of Deputy Premier, Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mines from First McKell ministry.
^ Retained portfolio of Secretary for Public Works from first McKell ministry
^ Resigned to accept appointment as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.[ 6]
See also
References
Colonial government (1856–1900) State government (1901–present)