McKell ministry (1944–1947)

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 ministry
50th Cabinet of the State of New South Wales
Premier William McKell
Date formed8 June 1944 (8 June 1944)
Date dissolved6 February 1947 (6 February 1947)
People and organisations
MonarchGeorge VI
GovernorThe Lord Wakehurst / Sir John Northcott
PremierWilliam McKell
Deputy PremierJack Baddeley
No. of ministers15
Member partyLabor
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition partyUAP/Country coalition
Opposition leaderReginald Weaver / Alexander Mair / Vernon Treatt
History
Election(s)1944 New South Wales election
PredecessorFirst McKell ministry
SuccessorFirst McGirr ministry

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 [lower-alpha 1]   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 [lower-alpha 2]
Minister for Education Bob Heffron
Attorney–General Clarrie Martin, KC [lower-alpha 1]
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 [lower-alpha 1] 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 [lower-alpha 1]
Secretary for Public Works
Minister for Local Government		 Joseph Cahill [lower-alpha 3]
Minister for Health Gus Kelly [lower-alpha 1]
Minister for Housing Jim McGirr [lower-alpha 1]
Secretary for Lands Jack Tully [lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 4] 9 May 1946 1 year, 335 days
Bill Dunn 9 May 1946 6 February 1947 273 days
Minister for Transport Maurice O'Sullivan [lower-alpha 1] 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 [lower-alpha 1] 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.

  1. Retained portfolios from First McKell ministry.
  2. Retained portfolios of Deputy Premier, Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mines from First McKell ministry.
  3. Retained portfolio of Secretary for Public Works from first McKell ministry
  4. Resigned to accept appointment as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.[6]

See also

References
  1. Clune, David (2011). "The life and times of William McKell". The McKell Institute. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  2. Cunneen, Chris (2012). "McKell, Sir William John (1891–1985)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  3. Green, Antony. "1944 election totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  4. "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  5. "Former members of the New South Wales Parliament, 1856–2006". New South Wales Parliament. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  6. "New Agent-General". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 February 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 16 February 2018 – via Trove.

 

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