Court ministry

The Court Ministry was the 27th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Liberal Premier Sir Charles Court and deputy Des O'Neil (Ray O'Connor replaced O'Neil following his retirement in 1980). It commenced on 5 June 1975, following the Court–McPharlin Ministry, 15 months after the Coalition's electoral defeat of the Tonkin Labor government. It was followed by the O'Connor Ministry upon Court's retirement as Premier on 25 January 1982.

This article is about the Ministry led by Sir Charles Court. For the Ministry led by his son Richard Court, see Court–Cowan Ministry.

Overview

On 20 May 1975, the National Country Party (NCP), led by Ray McPharlin, withdrew from the Coalition. At the time, three Ministers had been members of the NCP. In the ensuing negotiations which included visits from Federal Country Party leader Doug Anthony and Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Dick Old replaced McPharlin as state party leader. The Coalition recommenced on 31 May. Court felt that Old had insufficient experience to become Deputy Premier, so while the Government was based on a Liberal-NCP coalition until its defeat by Labor in 1983, both the Premier and Deputy positions were held by members of the parliamentary Liberal Party.[1]

The Ministry was reconstituted three times – first on 10 March 1977, following the 1977 election; on 25 August 1978 after a portfolio reshuffle; and finally on 5 March 1980 following the 1980 election.

The 1977 election, which expanded the Legislative Assembly from 51 to 55 members, saw the Liberal Party gain four seats and come within one seat of being able to govern in their own right. The NCP made the abolition of probate on estates passing to a spouse a condition of forming a coalition with the Liberals. This change in government policy was announced by the Premier after the election. However, due to a reduction in the numbers of NCP members in the Parliament, the NCP's allocation of Ministerial positions in the 13-member Ministry, went from 3 to 2, with the loss of Norm Baxter. Neil McNeill retired from the Ministry, allowing Ian Medcalf to be appointed Attorney-General.[2]

On 24 July 1978, Bill Grayden resigned from the Ministry after pleading guilty to two charges of unlawful assault on police officers, and one of unlawful damage to a police car. Ray O'Connor was appointed as Acting Minister covering all three of Grayden's portfolios and was formally sworn in by the Governor on 7 August 1978. Ray Young was promoted to the Ministry. A number of significant portfolio changes occurred on 25 August 1978, resulting from a split within the NCP leading to half of its MP's, along with its state president, forming a breakaway National Party. Both of the NCP Ministers stayed with the original party.[3]

The 1980 election, which saw little parliamentary change other than the defeat of Housing Minister Alan Ridge in his Kimberley seat and the retirement of Deputy Premier Des O'Neil from politics, preceded another reconstitution of the Ministry. Ray O'Connor, who had been a member of parliament since 1959, was promoted to the Deputy Premiership whilst two new Ministers were appointed and two Honorary Ministers were appointed. The Government failed to enact legislation which would have amended the Constitution to allow an expansion of the Ministry to 15, on account of maverick Liberal MLA Dr Tom Dadour and the National Party opposing the measure.[4]

On 18 December 1981, Sir Charles Court, then 70 years of age, announced his decision that he would step down as Premier on 25 January 1982.[5] The ministry ended on that date and was succeeded by the O'Connor Ministry.

Ministry

First Ministry

On 5 June 1975, the Governor, Air Commodore Sir Hughie Edwards, designated 12 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 10 March 1977.[6] An honorary minister was appointed two weeks later; following the assent of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act (No.4) 1975 (No.86 of 1975) on 20 November 1975, the Ministry grew to 13 members and Ian Medcalf was formally appointed on 22 December.

The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party. The members of the Ministry were:

Office Minister

Premier and Treasurer
Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development
Minister for Federal Affairs (until 22 December 1975)

 Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,
FCA, FICS, FASA, MLA

Deputy Premier
Minister for Works
Minister for Water Supplies
Minister for the North-West

 Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLA

Chief Secretary
Minister for Justice
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council

 Neil McNeill, BSc (Agric), MLC

Minister for Agriculture

 Dick Old, MLA

Minister for Transport
Minister for Police
Minister for Traffic

 Ray O'Connor, MLA

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Affairs
Minister for Recreation

 Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLC

Minister for Labour and Industry
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Immigration

 Bill Grayden, MLA

Minister for Industrial Development
Minister for Mines
Minister for Fuel and Energy

 Andrew Mensaros, MLA

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning

 Cyril Rushton, MLA

Minister for Lands
Minister for Forests
Minister for Tourism

 Alan Ridge, MLA

Minister for Health
Minister for Community Welfare

 Norm Baxter, MLC

Minister for Housing
Minister for Conservation and Environment
Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife

 Peter Jones, MLA

Honorary Minister (19 June 1975 – 22 December 1975)
Minister for Federal Affairs (from 22 December 1975)

 Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLC

Second Ministry

On 10 March 1977, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 and appointed the ministers to the positions.[7]

On 24 July 1978, Bill Grayden resigned from the Ministry. Ray O'Connor was appointed the Acting Minister for all three portfolios, and was sworn into them on 7 August 1978. Ray Young was also promoted to the Ministry at this time. These arrangements stayed in place until 25 August reshuffle.[8]

Office Minister

Premier and Treasurer
Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development

 Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,
FCA, FICS, FASA, MLA

Deputy Premier
Chief Secretary
Minister for Police and Traffic
Minister for Regional Administration
Minister for the North-West

 Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLA

Minister for Agriculture

 Dick Old, MLA

Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Conservation and Environment
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council

 Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLC

Minister for Works
Minister for Water Supplies
Minister for Housing

(from 7 August 1978, acting from 24 July:)

Minister for Labour and Industry
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Immigration
 Ray O'Connor, MLA

Minister for Labour and Industry
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Immigration

 Bill Grayden, MLA
(until 24 July 1978)

Attorney-General
Minister for Federal Affairs

 Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLC

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Affairs
Minister for Recreation

 Peter Jones, MLA

Minister for Industrial Development
Minister for Mines
Minister for Fuel and Energy

 Andrew Mensaros, MLA

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning

 Cyril Rushton, MLA

Minister for Health
Minister for Community Welfare

 Alan Ridge, MLA

Minister for Transport

 David Wordsworth, MLC

Minister for Lands and Forests

 June Craig, MLA

Minister without portfolio

 Ray Young, MLA
(from 7 August 1978)

Third Ministry

On 25 August 1978, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 5 March 1980 following the 1980 state election.[9]

Office Minister

Premier and Treasurer
Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development

 Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,
FCA, FICS, FASA, MLA

Deputy Premier
Chief Secretary
Minister for Police and Traffic
Minister for Regional Administration
Minister for the North-West

 Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLA

Minister for Agriculture

 Dick Old, MLA

Minister for Works
Minister for Water Supplies
Minister for Tourism
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council

 Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLC

Minister for Labour and Industry
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Immigration
Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife
Minister for Conservation and Environment

 Ray O'Connor, MLA

Attorney-General
Minister for Federal Affairs

 Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLC

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Affairs
Minister for Recreation

 Peter Jones, MLA

Minister for Industrial Development
Minister for Mines
Minister for Fuel and Energy

 Andrew Mensaros, MLA

Minister for Transport

 Cyril Rushton, MLA

Minister for Housing

 Alan Ridge, MLA

Minister for Lands and Forests

 David Wordsworth, MLC

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning

 June Craig, MLA

Minister for Health
Minister for Community Welfare

 Ray Young, MLA

Fourth Ministry

On 5 March 1980, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the end of the Ministry on 25 January 1982, when the O'Connor Ministry was formed by Deputy Premier Ray O'Connor upon the Premier's retirement.[10]

Office Minister

Premier and Treasurer
Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development

 Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,
FCA, FICS, FASA, MLA

Deputy Premier
Minister for Labour and Industry
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Immigration

(until 12 February 1981:)

Minister for Regional Administration
Minister for the North-West
Minister for Tourism
 Ray O'Connor, MLA

Minister for Agriculture

 Dick Old, MLA

Attorney-General
Minister for Federal Affairs
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council

 Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLC

Minister for Works
Minister for Water Resources
Minister assisting the Minister Co-ordinating
    Economic and Social Development
Minister for Housing (until 12 February 1981)

 Andrew Mensaros, MLA

Minister for Resources Development
Minister for Mines
Minister for Fuel and Energy
Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce

(from 12 February 1981:)

Minister for Housing
Minister for Regional Administration
Minister for the North-West
Minister for Tourism
 Peter Jones, MLA

Minister for Transport

 Cyril Rushton, MLA

Minister for Health

 Ray Young, MLA

Minister for Education
Minister for Cultural Affairs
Minister for Recreation

 Bill Grayden, MLA

Minister for Lands and Forests

 David Wordsworth, MLC

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning

 June Craig, MLA

Chief Secretary
Minister for Police and Traffic
Minister for Community Welfare

 Bill Hassell, LL.B., MA, MLA

Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife
Minister for Conservation and Environment

 Gordon Masters, MLC

Honorary Minister assisting the Ministers for Housing,
    Regional Administration, North West and Tourism

 Ian Laurance, Dip.Teach, BA, FAIM, MLA

Honorary Minister assisting the Minister
    for Industrial Development and Commerce

 Barry MacKinnon, BEc, Dip.Acctg, FASA, MLA

Listed by name and portfolio
Minister Office Appointed Ended
Baxter, Norm (MLC)Minister for Health5 June 197510 March 1977
Baxter, Norm (MLC)Minister for Community Welfare5 June 197510 March 1977
Court, Charles (MLA)Premier and Treasurer5 June 197525 January 1982
Court, Charles (MLA)Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development5 June 197525 January 1982
Court, Charles (MLA)Minister for Federal Affairs5 June 197522 December 1975
Craig, June (MLA)Minister for Lands and Forests10 March 197725 August 1978
Craig, June (MLA)Minister for Local Government25 August 197825 January 1982
Craig, June (MLA)Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning25 August 197825 January 1982
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Labour and Industry5 June 197524 July 1978
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Consumer Affairs5 June 197524 July 1978
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Immigration5 June 197524 July 1978
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Education5 March 198025 January 1982
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Cultural Affairs5 March 198025 January 1982
Grayden, Bill (MLA)Minister for Recreation5 March 198025 January 1982
Hassell, Bill (MLA)Chief Secretary5 March 198025 January 1982
Hassell, Bill (MLA)Minister for Police and Traffic5 March 198025 January 1982
Hassell, Bill (MLA)Minister for Community Welfare5 March 198025 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Housing5 June 197510 March 1977
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Conservation and Environment5 June 197510 March 1977
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife5 June 197510 March 1977
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Education10 March 19775 March 1980
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Cultural Affairs10 March 19775 March 1980
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Recreation10 March 19775 March 1980
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Regional Administration12 February 198125 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for the North-West12 February 198125 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Tourism12 February 198125 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Resources Development5 March 198025 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Mines5 March 198025 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Fuel and Energy5 March 198025 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce5 March 198025 January 1982
Jones, Peter (MLA)Minister for Housing12 February 198125 January 1982
Laurance, Ian (MLA)Honorary Minister5 March 198025 January 1982
MacKinnon, Barry (MLA)Honorary Minister5 March 198025 January 1982
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Education5 June 197510 March 1977
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Cultural Affairs5 June 197510 March 1977
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Recreation5 June 197510 March 1977
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council10 March 19775 March 1980
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife10 March 197725 August 1978
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Conservation and Environment10 March 197725 August 1978
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Works10 March 19775 March 1980
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Water Supplies25 August 19785 March 1980
MacKinnon, Graham (MLC)Minister for Tourism25 August 19785 March 1980
McNeill, Neil (MLC)Chief Secretary5 June 197510 March 1977
McNeill, Neil (MLC)Minister for Justice5 June 197510 March 1977
McNeill, Neil (MLC)Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council5 June 197510 March 1977
Masters, GordonMinister for Fisheries and Wildlife5 March 198025 January 1982
Masters, Gordon (MLC)Minister for Conservation and Environment5 March 198025 January 1982
Medcalf, Ian (MLC)Honorary Minister19 June 197522 December 1975
Medcalf, Ian (MLC)Attorney-General10 March 197725 January 1982
Medcalf, Ian (MLC)Minister for Federal Affairs22 December 197525 January 1982
Medcalf, Ian (MLC)Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council5 March 198025 January 1982
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Industrial Development5 June 19755 March 1980
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Mines5 June 19755 March 1980
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Fuel and Energy5 June 19755 March 1980
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Works5 March 198025 January 1982
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Water Supplies5 March 198025 January 1982
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister assisting the Minister
Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development		5 March 198025 January 1982
Mensaros, Andrew (MLA)Minister for Housing5 March 198012 February 1981
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Deputy Premier5 March 198025 January 1982
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Transport5 June 197510 March 1977
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Police5 June 197510 March 1977
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Traffic5 June 197510 March 1977
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Works10 March 197725 August 1978
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Water Supplies10 March 197725 August 1978
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Housing10 March 197725 August 1978
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Labour and Industry7 August 197825 January 1982
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Consumer Affairs7 August 197825 January 1982
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Immigration7 August 197825 January 1982
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife25 August 19785 March 1980
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Conservation and Environment25 August 19785 March 1980
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Regional Administration5 March 198012 February 1981
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for the North-West5 March 198012 February 1981
O'Connor, Ray (MLA)Minister for Tourism5 March 198012 February 1981
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Deputy Premier5 June 19755 March 1980
Old, Dick (MLA)Minister for Agriculture5 June 197525 January 1982
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Chief Secretary10 March 19775 March 1980
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Minister for Police and Traffic10 March 19775 March 1980
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Minister for Regional Administration10 March 19775 March 1980
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Minister for Water Supplies5 June 197510 March 1977
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Minister for Works5 June 197510 March 1977
O'Neil, Des (MLA)Minister for the North-West5 June 19755 March 1980
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Lands5 June 197510 March 1977
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Forests5 June 197510 March 1977
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Tourism5 June 197510 March 1977
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Health10 March 197725 August 1978
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Community Welfare10 March 197725 August 1978
Ridge, Alan (MLA)Minister for Housing25 August 19785 March 1980
Rushton, Cyril (MLA)Minister for Local Government5 June 197525 August 1978
Rushton, Cyril (MLA)Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning5 June 197525 August 1978
Rushton, Cyril (MLA)Minister for Transport25 August 197825 January 1982
Wordsworth, David (MLC)Minister for Transport10 March 197725 August 1978
Wordsworth, David (MLC)Minister for Lands and Forests25 August 197825 January 1982
Young, Ray (MLA)Minister without portfolio7 August 197825 August 1978
Young, Ray (MLA)Minister for Health25 August 197825 January 1982
Young, Ray (MLA)Minister for Community Welfare25 August 19785 March 1980

References
  1. Hamilton, Barbara (December 1975). "Australian Political Chronicle: January–June 1975". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 21 (3): 122–123. ISSN 0004-9522.
  2. "Australian Political Chronicle: January–June 1977". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 23 (3): 450. December 1977. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8497.1977.tb01253.x. ISSN 0004-9522.
  3. Watt, E.D. (April 1979). "Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1978". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 25 (1): 104–105. ISSN 0004-9522.
  4. Penrose, Sandra (April 1981). "Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1980". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 27 (1): 93. ISSN 0004-9522.
  5. Black, David (April 1982). "Australian Political Chronicle: July–December 1981". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 28 (1): 111, 121. ISSN 0004-9522.
  6. "No.34 (Special)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 5 June 1975. p. 1975:1765.
    * Hansard Indexes for 1975–1977, "Legislature of Western Australia"
  7. "No.15 (Special)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 10 March 1977. p. 1977:747–748.
  8. "Premier's Department". Western Australia Government Gazette. 24 July 1978. p. 1978:2701.
    * "No.55 (Special)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 7 August 1978. p. 1978:2857.
  9. "No.60 (Special)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 25 August 1978. p. 1978:3183–3184.
  10. "No.18 (Special)". Western Australia Government Gazette. 5 March 1980. p. 1980:779–780.
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