Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969) or Second Askin ministry was the 63rd 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. It was the second of six occasions when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.

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.

Composition of ministry

This ministry covers the period from 5 March 1968 until 11 February 1969, when Askin and Cutler reconfigured the Liberal/Country ministry.

Portfolio	Minister	Party		Term commence	Term end	Term of office
Premier Treasurer	Bob Askin		Liberal	5 March 1968	11 February 1969	343 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	Arthur Bridges, MLC				22 May 1968	78 days
Advisory Minister for Transport
Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare	Harry Jago			23 May 1968	3 September 1968	103 days
	Frederick Hewitt, MLC			3 September 1968	11 February 1969	161 days
Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council	John Fuller, MLC		Country	10 July 1968	11 February 1969	216 days
Minister for Decentralisation and Development				3 September 1968	11 February 1969	161 days
Minister for Public Works	Davis Hughes		Liberal
Attorney General	Ken McCaw
Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways	Pat Morton
Minister for Transport	Milton Morris
Minister for Lands	Tom Lewis
Minister for Conservation	Jack Beale
Minister for Agriculture	Geoff Crawford		Country
Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies	Stanley Stephens
Minister of Justice	John Maddison		Liberal
Minister for Health	Harry Jago
Minister for Mines	Wal Fife

  Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1968–1971
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1967–1970