Willis–Punch ministry
The Willis–Punch ministry or Willis ministry was the 70th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 34th Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Sir Eric Willis, KBE CMG MLA in a Liberal Party of Australia coalition with the Country Party of Australia, that was led by the Honourable Leon Punch, MLA.
Background
Willis joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Australia in 1945, after hearing a speech by Sir Robert Menzies.[1] After unsuccessfully seeking election to the Australian House of Representatives, Willis was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1978, representing the seat of Earlwood, in the inner southwestern suburbs of Sydney. Upon Sir Robert Askin's retirement in January 1975, Willis was seen as the favourite to take the premiership. However, despite Askin's initial support, Willis refused his help, preferring to gain the leadership on his own merits. Askin then put his support behind the Minister for Lands, Tom Lewis.[2] Willis, sure he had support, refused to campaign, and the party put its support behind Lewis, leading to his election to Premier. Willis was then replaced as Deputy by John Maddison. For Willis' service as Deputy Leader he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on 14 June 1975.[3] Lewis was Premier for only one year and looked increasingly likely to lead the state Liberals to defeat. At the party room meeting on 20 January 1976, parliamentary backbencher Neil Pickard called a spill motion. This was carried 22 votes to 11 and Willis was made Leader unopposed.[4]
Punch was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1959 and served continuously up until 1985, representing variously the seats of Upper Hunter (1959-1962) and then Gloucester (1962-1985). Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1973, Punch was elected as leader of his party following the retirement and resignation of the Hon. Sir Charles Cutler KBE ED MLA in December 1975.
Tenure of ministry
The ministry covers the period from 23 January 1976, a few days after Willis deposed the Honourable Tom Lewis, MLA in a spill motion for the leadership of the parliamentary branch of the Liberal Party in New South Wales and hence, premiership, until 14 May 1976, when the coalition was defeated at the 1976 election by the Labor Party and the First Wran ministry was formed.
Composition of ministry
The ministry was sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor Sir Laurence Street on 23 January 1976,[5] following Willis being elected as Leader; and it ended on 14 May 1976 when the First Wran ministry was sworn in following the 1976 election. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in all cases, serve the full term of this 112–day ministry.[6][7]
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Treasurer |
Hon. Sir Eric Willis, KBE CMG MLA | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | Script error: The function "age_generic" does not exist. days | |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Public Works Minister for Ports |
Hon Leon Punch, MLA | Country | ||||
| Attorney General Minister for Justice |
Hon. John Maddison, MLA | Liberal | ||||
| Minister for Planning and Environment Vice-President of the Executive Council Leader of the Government in Legislative Council |
Hon. Sir John Fuller, MLC | Country | ||||
| Minister for Transport Minister for Highways |
Hon. Tim Bruxner, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Federal Affairs Minister for Consumer Affairs |
Hon. Frederick Hewitt, MLC | Liberal | ||||
| Minister for Health | Hon Dick Healey, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Local Government | Hon. Tom Lewis, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development | Hon. Milton Morris, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Mines Minister for Energy |
Hon. George Freudenstein, MLA | Country | ||||
| Chief Secretary | Hon. Peter Coleman, MLA | Liberal | ||||
| Minister for Education | Hon. Neil Pickard, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Agriculture Minister for Water Resources |
Hon. Bruce Cowan, MLA | Country | ||||
| Assistant Treasurer Minister for Revenue |
Hon. Max Ruddock, MLA | Liberal | ||||
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies |
Hon. Ian Griffith, MLA | |||||
| Minister for Lands Minister for Forests |
Hon. Col Fisher, MLA | Country | ||||
| Minister for Youth, Ethnic and Community Affairs | Hon. Jim Clough, MLA | Liberal | ||||
| Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation Minister for Tourism |
Hon. David Arblaster, MLA | |||||
See also
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- Hon. Sir Eric Willis, KBE CMG MLA - 34th Premier of New South Wales
- Hon. Leon Punch, MLA - NSW Country Party leader
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1973–1976
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1973–1976
References
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- ↑ Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, KBE, 14 June 1975, itsanhonour.gov.au
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| Preceded by | Willis ministry 1976 |
Succeeded by Wran ministry (1976–1978) |
| Colonial government (1856–1900) |
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| State government (1901–present) |
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