McGirr ministry (1947–1950)

The McGirr ministry (1947–1950) or Second McGirr ministry was the 53rd ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 28th Premier, Jim McGirr, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the second of three consecutive occasions when the Government was led by McGirr, as Premier.

McGirr ministry

53rd Cabinet of the State of New South Wales
Premier Jim McGirr
Date formed19 May 1947
Date dissolved30 June 1950
People and organisations
MonarchGeorge VI
GovernorSir John Northcott
PremierJim McGirr
Deputy PremierJack Baddeley
Joe Cahill
No. of ministers15
Member partyLabor
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition partyUAP/Country coalition
Opposition leaderVernon Treatt
History
Election1947 New South Wales election
PredecessorFirst McGirr ministry
SuccessorThird McGirr ministry

McGirr was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1922 and served continuously until 1952, holding the various seats of Cootamundra, Cumberland, Bankstown, and Liverpool. Having served in the third ministry of Jack Lang, and the first and second ministries of William McKell, McGirr was variously torn between Lang Labor and the newly formed Australian Labor Party. When McKell stood aside as Premier in 1947 in order to take up an appointment as Governor-General of Australia, McGirr was elected Labor Leader and became Premier. McGirr led Labor to victory at the 1947 state election.[1]

This ministry covers the period from 19 May 1947 until the 1950 state election, held on 30 June,[2][3] when McGirr led Labor to victory and the Third McGirr ministry was sworn in.

Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McGirr on 19 May 1947. The principal changes from the first McGirr ministry were that Bill Dunn was dropped, replaced by Bill Sheahan and the portfolio of Building Materials was created, filled by Claude Matthews. There was a rearrangement of the Ministry in September 1949, triggered by the resignation of Deputy Premier, Jack Baddeley. Baddeley suffered a heart attack in December 1948 while serving as Acting Premier.[4] Joe Cahill succeeded Baddeley as Deputy Premier. The portfolio of Co-operative Societies was created and filled by Clarrie Martin.

PortfolioMinisterPartyTerm commenceTerm endTerm of office
Premier
Treasurer
Jim McGirr[a] Labor      19 May 194730 June 19503 years, 42 days
Deputy PremierJack Baddeley[a]8 September 19492 years, 112 days
Joe Cahill21 September 194930 June 1950282 days
Chief SecretaryJack Baddeley[a]19 May 19478 September 19492 years, 112 days
Jim McGirr8 September 194921 September 194913 days
Claude Matthews21 September 194930 June 1950282 days
Secretary for MinesJack Baddeley[a]19 May 19478 September 19492 years, 112 days
Jim McGirr8 September 194921 September 194913 days
William Dickson, MLC21 September 194930 June 1950282 days
Minister for National Emergency ServicesJack Baddeley[a]19 May 19478 September 19492 years, 112 days
Jim McGirr8 September 194921 September 194913 days
Minister for Housing
Assistant Treasurer
Clive Evatt[b]19 May 194730 June 19503 years, 42 days
Minister for EducationBob Heffron[a]
Attorney–GeneralClarrie Martin, KC[c]
Minister for Co-operative Societies21 September 1949282 days
Minister for Labour and Industry and Social WelfareHamilton Knight[a]19 May 194729 October 1947163 days
Jack Baddeley29 October 19479 March 1948132 days
Frank Finnan9 March 194830 June 19502 years, 113 days
Minister of Justice
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council
Reg Downing, MLC[a]19 May 194730 June 19503 years, 42 days
Secretary for Public Works
Minister for Local Government
Joe Cahill[a]
Minister for HealthGus Kelly[a]
Minister for TransportMaurice O'Sullivan[a]
Minister for AgricultureEddie Graham[a]
Minister for ConservationGeorge Weir[a]
Secretary for LandsBill Sheahan
Minister in Charge of Tourist Activities and ImmigrationFrank Finnan[a]29 October 19479 March 1948132 days
Claude Matthews9 March 194821 September 19491 year, 196 days
Joshua Arthur21 September 194930 June 1950282 days
Minister without portfolio15 September 194921 September 19496 days
Minister for Building MaterialsClaude Matthews19 May 19479 March 1948132 days
William Dickson, MLC9 March 194830 June 19502 years, 113 days
Assistant Minister19 May 19479 March 1948132 days

 Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

  • Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
  • 1947–1950

References

 

New South Wales government ministries
Preceded by McGirr ministry (1947–1950)
1947–1950
Succeeded by