The first Parkes ministry was the fourteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and the first of five occasions of being led by Henry Parkes.

Having served in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1854 and 1856, Parkes was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856, however resigned from Parliament later that year. He served in the Assembly on several occasions, between 1858 and 1870, being forced to resign on 4 occasions due to his personal insolvency.Henry Parkes resigned due to financial difficulties in 1856 (Sydney City), 1858 (Cumberland (North Riding)), 1870 (Kiama) and 1871 (Kiama). He would again resign due to financial difficulties in 1887 (St Leonards). He came to power as Premier on the first occasion after the Sir James Martin ministry had involved itself in a petty squabble with the colony of Victoria over a question of border duties. The acting-governor had sent for William Forster before parliament met, but he was unable to form a ministry, and in May 1872 Parkes formed his first ministry.

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. A poll was required for East Sydney (Henry Parkes) and Newcastle (George Lloyd), both of whom were comfortably re-elected. The five other ministers, Edward Butler (Argyle), James Farnell (Parramatta), Joseph Innes (Mudgee), William Piddington (The Hawkesbury) and John Sutherland (Paddington), were re-elected unopposed. Polls were subsequently required on the appointment of George Allen (Glebe) and Robert Abbott (Tenterfield) but each were comfortably re-elected.

The ministry created two new ministerial roles, Minister of Justice and Public Instruction in 1873 and the Secretary for Mines in 1874. The office of Solicitor General became dormant in 1873 when the Attorney General, Edward Butler. resigned and Solicitor General Joseph Innes was appointed Attorney General. (1988 Autumn) Bar News: Journal of the NSW Bar Association 22.

This ministry covers the period from 14 May 1872 until 8 February 1875, when Parkes lost the confidence of the Assembly following Governor Robinson's decision to release the bushranger Frank Gardiner, resulting in the defeat of the ministry.

Composition of ministry PortfolioMinisterTerm startTerm endTerm lengthPremierColonial Secretary14 May 18728 February 1875Colonial Treasurer4 December 1872 days5 December 18728 February 1875Secretary for Lands14 May 18728 February 1875Secretary for Mines9 May 187426 July 1874 days27 July 18748 February 1875 daysSecretary for Public Works15 May 18728 February 1875Attorney General10 November 1873 MLA / MLC20 November 18738 February 1875Solicitor General14 May 187219 November 1873Minister of Justice and Public Instruction9 December 18738 February 1875Postmaster-General14 May 18724 December 1872 days MLC3 December 18728 February 1875Vice-President of the Executive Council14 May 1872Representative of the Governmentin the Legislative Council13 September 1873 MLC13 September 18738 February 1875 Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

Self-government in New South Wales

References