Colebatch Ministry

The Colebatch Ministry was the 14th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia and was led by Nationalist Premier Hal Colebatch. It succeeded the Lefroy Ministry on 17 April 1919 after Sir Henry Lefroy's resignation as premier. Colebatch, a member of the Legislative Council and the first (and so far only) from that chamber to ever be asked to form a ministry, had the problem of finding a conveniently-located country seat which was not held by the Country Party. Before he could consolidate his leadership, his handling of the "Battle of the Barricades" on the waterfront severely damaged his standing and he stood aside. On 17 May 1919, the First Mitchell Ministry was formed by the Minister for Lands, James Mitchell.

The following ministers served for the duration of the Ministry:

Office Minister Premier Colonial Treasurer Minister for Education Minister for Railways Hal Colebatch, MLC Minister for Lands James Mitchell, MLA Colonial Secretary Charles Hudson, MLA Minister for Works Minister for Water Supply William George, MLA Attorney-General Minister for Mines Robert Robinson, MLA Minister for Agriculture Charles Baxter, MLC Minister without portfolio Francis Willmott, MLA

Legend: Nationalist Party Country Party National Labor Party

References

• Black, David and Bolton, Geoffrey (2001). Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Volume One, 1870–1930 (Revised ed.). Parliament House: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0730738140.
• Black, David (1991). "Factionalism and Stability: 1911-1947". In Black, David (ed.). The House on the Hill: A History of the Parliament of Western Australia 1832–1990. Perth, Western Australia: Parliament of Western Australia. ISBN 0-7309-3983-9.
• Bolton, Geoffrey; Mozley, Ann (1961). The Western Australian Legislature, 1870-1930. Canberra: Australian National University. (no ISBN)