Deputy Premier of New South Wales

The deputy premier of New South Wales is the second-most senior officer in the Government of New South Wales. The deputy premiership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1932, and the deputy premier is appointed by the governor on the advice of the premier. The current deputy premier is Prue Car, since 28 March 2023, who is also the Minister for Education and Early Learning.

Ultimately, the deputy premier is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

History The office of Deputy Premier was created in May 1932 for Michael Bruxner, the leader of the Country Party (later renamed the National Party). Prior to that time the term was sometimes used unofficially (without capital letters) for the second-highest ranking minister in the government.

In Labor governments, the deputy premier is the party's deputy leader. Generally speaking, this person has come from the left faction of the party whereas the premier has come from the right faction. In Liberal-National Coalition governments, the position has been held by the Leader of the National Party or its predecessors.

Three deputy premiers have subsequently become Premier in their own right: Joseph Cahill, Robert Heffron, and Jack Renshaw. However, this has not occurred since 1964.

Duties The duties of the deputy premier are to act on behalf of the premier in his or her absence overseas or on leave. The deputy premier has always been a member of the Cabinet, and has always held at least one substantive portfolio (It would be technically possible for a minister to hold only the portfolio of Deputy Premier, but this has never happened).

If the premier were to die, become incapacitated or resign, the Governor would normally appoint the deputy premier as Premier. If the governing or majority party had not yet elected a new leader, that appointment would be on an interim basis. Should a different leader emerge, that person would then be appointed Premier.

List of deputy premiers of New South Wales No. Portrait NameElectoral district(Birth–death) Term of officePortfolioPartyPremierTerm startTerm endTime in office1Michael BruxnerMLA for Tenterfield(1882–1970)16 May193216 May1941 Minister for Transport Minister for Local Government (until 1932)CountryBertram StevensUnited Australia(1932–1939)Alexander MairUnited Australia(1939–1941)2Jack BaddeleyMLA for Cessnock(1881–1953)16 May19418 September1949 Chief Secretary Secretary for Mines Minister for National Emergency Services (from 1944) Minister for Labour and Industry and Social Welfare (1947–1948)LaborWilliam McKellLabor(1941–1947)Jim McGirrLabor(1947–1952)3Joseph CahillMLA for Cook's River(1891–1959)21 September19492 April1952 Secretary for Public Works Minister for Local GovernmentLaborNone(2 April 1952–23 February 1953)Joseph CahillLabor(1952–1959)4Bob HeffronMLA for Maroubra(1890–1978)23 February195328 October1959 Minister for Education Secretary for Mines (until 1953)Labor5Jack RenshawMLA for Castlereagh(1909–1987)28 October195914 March1964 Treasurer Minister for Lands (1960–1961) Minister for Agriculture (1961–1962) Minister for Industrial Development and Decentralisation (from 1962)LaborBob HeffronLabor(1959–1964)6Pat HillsMLA for Castlereagh(1917–1992)30 April196413 May1965 Minister for Highways Minister for Local GovernmentLaborJack RenshawLabor(1964–1965)7Sir Charles CutlerMLA for Orange(1918–2006)13 May196516 December1975 Minister for Education (until 1972) Minister for Science (until 1972) Minister for Highways (from 1972) Minister for Local Government (from 1972) Minister for Tourism (from 1975)CountrySir Robert AskinLiberal(1965–1975)Tom LewisLiberal(1975–1976)8Leon PunchMLA for Gloucester(1928–1991)17 December197514 May1976 Minister for Ports Minister for Public WorksCountrySir Eric WillisLiberal(1976)9Jack FergusonMLA for Merrylands(1924–2002)14 May197610 February1984 Minister for Public Works Minister for Ports Minister for Housing (1976–1977)LaborNeville WranLabor(1976–1986)10Ron MulockMLA for St Marys(1930–2014)10 February198425 March1988 Minister for Health (until 1986) Minister for Transport (1986–1987) Attorney General (from 1987)LaborBarrie UnsworthLabor(1986–1988)11Wal MurrayMP for Barwon(1931–2004)25 March198826 May1993 Minister for Public Works Minister for State Development (1988–1990) Minister for Roads (from 1990)NationalNick GreinerLiberal(1988–1992)John FaheyLiberal(1992–1995)12Ian ArmstrongMP for Barwon(1937–2020)26 May19934 April1995 Minister for Ports Minister for Public WorksNational13Andrew RefshaugeMP for Marrickville(born 1949)4 April19954 August2005 Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Health (until 1999) Minister for Housing (1999–2003) Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning (1999–2001) Minister for Planning (2001–2003) Minister for Education and Training (2003–2005) Minister for State Development (from 2005)LaborBob CarrLabor(1995–2005)14John WatkinsMP for Ryde(born 1955)10 August20053 September2008 Minister for Transport Minister for State Development (until 2006) Minister for Police (2006–2007) Minister for Finance (from 2008)LaborMorris IemmaLabor(2005–2008)15Carmel TebbuttMP for Marrickville(born 1964)5 September200826 March2011 Minister for Commerce (until 2009) Minister for Climate Change and the Environment (until 2009) Minister for Health (from 2009)LaborNathan ReesLabor(2008–2009)Kristina KeneallyLabor(2009–2011)16Andrew StonerMP for Oxley(born 1960)28 March201116 October2014 Minister for Trade and Investment Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Minister for Small Business (from 2014) Minister for the North Coast (from 2014) Minister for Tourism and Major Events (from 2014)NationalBarry O'FarrellLiberal(2011–2014)Mike BairdLiberal(2014–2017)17Troy GrantMP for Dubbo(born 1970)16 October201415 November2016 Minister for the Arts Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing (until 2015) Minister for Trade and Investment (until 2015) Minister for Tourism and Major Events (until 2015) Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services (until 2015) Minister for Racing (from 2015) Minister for Justice and Police (from 2015)National18John BarilaroMP for Monaro(born 1971)15 November20166 October2021 Minister for Small Business (until 2019) Minister for Skills (until 2019) Minister for Regional Development (until 2017) Minister for Regional New South Wales (2017–2019) Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade (from 2019)NationalGladys BerejiklianLiberal(2017–2021)19Paul TooleMP for Bathurst(born 1970)6 October202128 March2023 Minister for Regional New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads (until 2021) Minister for Police (from 2021)NationalDominic PerrottetLiberal(2021–2023)20Prue CarMP for Londonderry(born 1982 or 1983)28 March2023Incumbent Minister for Education and Early Learning Minister for Western Sydney Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education (2023)LaborChris MinnsLabor(since 2023)

Deputy Premier of New South Wales

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