Askin–Cutler ministry (1973–75)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1973–1975) or Sixth Askin ministry was the 67th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 32nd Premier, the Honourable Sir Robert Askin KCMG MLA, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by the Honourable Sir Charles Cutler KBE ED MLA. It was the sixth and final occasion when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler served as Deputy Premier to Askin.

Background

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. 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. 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.

The first Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from 1965 until the 1968 state election; when the coalition again won office. The second Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1968 election until 11 February 1969, when the ministry was reconfigured. The third Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1969 reconfiguration until the 1971 state election. The fourth Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1971 election until 17 January 1973, when the ministry was reconfigured. The fifth Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1973 reconfiguration until the 1973 state election.

Tenure of ministry

This ministry covers the period from 3 December 1973 until 3 January 1975,^[1][2] when Askin resigned as Premier and as Member for Pittwater.

The Hon. Tom Lewis, MLA succeeded Askin as Leader of the Liberal Party and became Premier, and entered into a Liberal/Country coalition with Cutler, until Cutler resigned in 1975, necessitating a further reconfiguration of the ministry.

Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin on 3 December 1973, and covers the period up until 3 January 1975, when Askin resigned. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in all cases, serve the full term of this ministry.

Portfolio	Minister	Party		Term commence	Term end	Term of office
Premier Treasurer	Hon. Sir Robert Askin KCMG MLA		Liberal	3 December 1973	3 January 1975	1 year, 31 days
Deputy Premier Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways	Hon. Sir Charles Cutler KBE ED MLA		Country
Minister for Education	Hon. Eric Willis, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Planning and Environment Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council	Hon. John Fuller, MLC^1		Country
Minister for Public Works	Hon. Leon Punch, MLA
Attorney General	Hon. Ken McCaw QC MLA		Liberal
Minister for Transport	Hon. Milton Morris, MLA
Minister for Lands Minister for Tourism	Hon. Tom Lewis, MLA
Minister of Justice	Hon. John Maddison, MLA
Minister for Agriculture	Hon. Geoff Crawford DCM MLA		Country
Minister for Mines Minister for Power Assistant Treasurer	Hon. Wal Fife, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Labor and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs	Hon. Frederick Hewitt, MLC
Minister for Health	Hon. John Lloyd Waddy OBE DFC MLA^2
Minister for Conservation Minister for Cultural Activities	Hon. George Freudenstein, MLA		Country
Minister for Decentralisation and Development	Hon. Tim Bruxner, MLA^3
Chief Secretary Minister for Sport	Hon. Ian Griffith, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies	Hon. Laurence McGinty, MLA^4
Minister for Youth and Community Services	Hon. Dick Healey, MLA^5

¹ Fuller took on the expanded portfolio of Planning and Environment following the resignation of the Hon. Jack Beale, MLA, one month prior to the 1973 election.

² Waddy took on the portfolio of Health following the failure of the Hon. Harry Jago, MLA to nominate for his sitting seat, prior to the 1973 election.

³ Bruxner took on the portfolio of Decentralisation and Development, previously held by Fuller.

⁴ McGinty was a new appointment to the ministry, taking on the portfolio responsibilities previously held by Bruxner, who was promoted

⁵ Healey was a new appointment to the ministry, taking on the portfolio responsibilities previously held by Waddy, who was promoted

See also

• Hon Sir Robert Askin KCMG MLA - 32nd Premier of New South Wales
• Hon Sir Charles Cutler KBE MLA - NSW Country Party leader
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1973–1976
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1973–1976

References

1. "Former Members - Chronological List of Ministries 1856 to 2009 (requires download)" (MS Excel spreadsheet). Project for the Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
2. Wah, Malvyne Jong; Page, Jeffrey E. (November 2007). "New South Wales Parliamentary Record 1824 – 2007" (PDF) VI. Parliament of New South Wales: 40. Retrieved 29 June 2013.