Askin–Cutler ministry (1969–71)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1969–1971) or Third Askin ministry was the 64th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 32nd Premier, the Honourable Robin Askin, MLA, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by the Honourable Charles Cutler, MLA. It was the third 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 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 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.

Tenure of ministry

This ministry covers the period from 11 February 1969 until 11 March 1971, when Askin and Cutler led the Liberal/Country coalition to a fourth term following victory at the 1971 state election, defeating Labor led by Pat Hills.

Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin on 11 February 1969, and covers the period until 11 March 1971. 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. Robin Askin, MLA		Liberal	11 February 1969	11 March 1971
Deputy Premier Minister for Education Minister for Science	Hon. Charles Cutler, MLA		Country
Minister for Labor and Industry Chief Secretary Minister for Tourism	Hon. Eric Willis, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Decentralisation and Development Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council	Hon. John Fuller, MLC		Country
Minister for Public Works	Hon. Davis Hughes, MLA
Attorney General	Hon. Ken McCaw, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways	Hon. Pat Morton, MLA
Minister for Transport	Hon. Milton Morris, MLA
Minister for Lands	Hon. Tom Lewis, MLA
Minister for Conservation	Hon. Jack Beale, MLA
Minister for Agriculture	Hon. Geoff Crawford, MLA		Country
Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies	Hon. Stanley Stephens, MLA		Country
Minister of Justice	Hon. John Maddison, MLA		Liberal
Minister for Health	Hon. Harry Jago, MLA
Minister for Mines	Hon. Wal Fife, MLA
Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare	Hon/ Frederick Hewitt, MLC
Assistant Minister	Hon. John Lloyd Waddy OBE DFC MLA
	Hon. George Freudenstein, MLA		Country

See also

• Robert Askin - 32nd Premier of New South Wales
• Charles Cutler - NSW Country Party leader
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1968–1971
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1967–1970
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1970–1973

References

Preceded by Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969)

Askin–Cutler ministry (1969–1971) 1969–1971

Succeeded by Askin–Cutler ministry (1971–1973)