Unsworth ministry

The Unsworth ministry was the 79th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 36th Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Barrie Unsworth, MP, representing the Labor Party.

Unsworth ministry
79th Cabinet of Government of New South Wales
Date formed4 July 1986 (1986-07-04)
Date dissolved21 March 1988 (1988-03-21)
People and organisations
Head of stateQueen Elizabeth II (represented by Sir James Rowland)
Head of governmentBarrie Unsworth
Deputy head of governmentRon Mulock
No. of ministers20
Member partyLabor
Status in legislatureMajority Labor Government
Opposition partiesLiberalNational coalition
Opposition leaderNick Greiner
History
Outgoing election1988 New South Wales state election
PredecessorEighth Wran ministry
SuccessorFirst Greiner–Murray ministry

After the surprise announcement in June 1986 that Neville Wran MP would retire as Premier, NSW Labor Leader, and from Parliament with effect from 4 July 1986,[1] Unsworth, then a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, was elected as the leader of the NSW Labor Party and thus became Premier. However, by parliamentary convention, Premiers are members of the Legislative Assembly. In order for Unsworth to move from the Legislative Council to the Legislative Assembly, Brian Bannon, the member for Rockdale, resigned to accept a role as Chairman of the Homebush States Sport Centre Trust,[2] and Unsworth contested the resulting by-election held on 2 August 1986. He narrowly won the seat, with a 17.1% decline in the primary vote and independent preferences giving him a margin of just 54 votes.[3] A by-election for Wran's safe Labor seat of Bass Hill was even worse, with a 22.2 per cent decline in the primary vote delivering a 103vote victory to the Liberal candidate.[3]

The ministry covers the period from 4 July 1986 when Unsworth was elected by Labor caucus as the NSW Labor Leader until 21 March 1988 when Labor suffered a landslide defeat at the state election by the LiberalNational coalition, led by Nick Greiner and Wal Murray. Unsworth did not contest the 1991 election.

Composition of ministry

Ministers are listed in order of seniority.[4][5]

First arrangement

The first arrangement covers the period from 4 July 1986 until 5 November 1986, when Jack Hallam took on additional responsibilities.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier
Minister for State Development
Minister for Ethnic Affairs
Hon. Barrie Unsworth, MP   Labor 4 July 1986 21 March 1988 1 year, 261 days
Deputy Premier
Minister for Transport
Hon. Ron Mulock, MP   26 November 1987 1 year, 145 days
Minister for Housing
Minister for the Arts
Hon. Frank Walker, QC MP   21 March 1988 1 year, 261 days
Minister for Public Works and Ports
Minister for Roads
Hon. Laurie Brereton, MP   26 November 1987 1 year, 145 days
Minister for Industrial Relations
Minister for Employment
Hon. Pat Hills, MP   21 March 1988 1 year, 261 days
Minister for Health
Minister for the Drug Offensive
Hon. Peter Anderson, MP  
Treasurer Hon. Ken Booth, MP  
Attorney General
Minister Assisting the Premier
Hon. Terry Sheahan, MP   26 November 1987 1 year, 145 days
Minister for Industry and Small Business
Minister for Energy and Technology
Hon. Peter Cox, MP  
Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Lands
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Hon. Jack Hallam, MLC   21 March 1988 1 year, 261 days
Minister for Education Hon. Rodney Cavalier, MP  
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Minister for Racing
Minister for Tourism
Hon. Michael Cleary, MP  
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Hon. George Paciullo, MP  
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Water Resources
Hon. Janice Crosio, MBE MP  
Minister for Finance
Minister for Co-operative Societies
Assistant Minister for Education
Hon. Bob Debus, MP  
Minister for Corrective Services
Assistant Minister for Transport
Hon. John Akister, MP  
Minister for Planning and Environment
Minister for Heritage
Hon. Bob Carr, MP  
Minister for Youth and Community Services
Assistant Minister for Ethnic Affairs
Hon. John Aquilina, MP  
Minister for Mineral Resources
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Hon. Ken Gabb, MP   26 November 1987 1 year, 145 days
Minister for Consumer Affairs Hon. Deirdre Grusovin, MLC  

Second arrangement

The second arrangement covers the period from 5 November 1986 until 26 November 1987, when Laurie Brereton resigned from the ministry, triggering a reshuffle. Only changes in portfolio are shown.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Lands
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Minister for Forests
Hon. Jack Hallam, MLC   Labor 5 November 1986 (1986-11-05) 21 March 1988 (1988-03-21) 1 year, 137 days

Third arrangement

The third arrangement covers the period from 26 November 1987 until the state election, held on 21 March 1988, when the Unsworth government was defeated. Only changes in portfolios are shown.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Deputy Premier
Attorney General
Hon. Ron Mulock, MP   Labor 26 November 1987 21 March 1988 116 days
Minister for Transport Hon. Terry Sheahan, MP  
Minister for Public Works
Minister Assisting the Premier
Hon. Peter Cox, MP  
Assistant Minister for Transport Hon. Janice Crosio, MP  
Minister for Minerals and Energy
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Hon. Ken Gabb, MP  
Minister for Consumer Affairs
Minister for Small Business
Assistant Minister for Health
Hon. Deirdre Grusovin, MLC  

See also

References

  1. "After Wran, the Unsworth push". The Sydney Morning Herald. Google. 9 June 1986. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  2. Green, Antony. "Rockdale by-election 1986". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. "By-election bloodbaths". Crikey. 27 November 2005. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  4. "Former Members - Chronological List of Ministries 1856 to 2009 (requires download)" (Excel). Project for the Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  5. "Part 6: Ministries" (PDF). New South Wales Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.

 

Preceded by
Wran ministry (1986)
Unsworth ministry
1986–1988
Succeeded by
Greiner–Murray ministry (1988–1991)
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