Jennings ministry
23rd Cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales
Premier Sir Patrick Jennings and the Colony of New South Wales (1863–1900)
Date formed26 February 1886 (1886-02-26)
Date dissolved19 January 1887 (1887-01-19)
People and organisations
MonarchQueen Victoria
GovernorThe Lord Carrington
PremierSir Patrick Jennings
No. of ministers10
Member partyunaligned
Status in legislatureMinority government
Opposition partyunaligned
Opposition leader
History
PredecessorFifth Robertson ministry
SuccessorFourth Parkes ministry

The Jennings ministry was the 23rd ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the eleventh Premier, Sir Patrick Jennings, and the first Roman Catholic to hold the office of Colonial Premier.[1] Jennings was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1869–70 election, and then again in 1880.

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but was not a formal position in the government until 1920. Instead the Premier was appointed to another portfolio, usually Colonial Secretary, but on this occasion Jenning chose the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887.[2] Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.[3] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion a poll was required for Bathurst (Francis Suttor) and Redfern (Arthur Renwick) however both were re-elected. The other ministers were re-elected unopposed.[4]

This ministry covers the period from 26 February 1886 until 19 January 1887. Jennings took over as Premier following the February 1886 resignation of Sir John Robertson.[5] Jennings' ministry was beset by financial difficulties,[1][5] lasted only 11 months, and was succeeded by Henry Parkes.[6]

Composition of ministry

Portfolio Minister Term start Term end Term length
Premier
Colonial Treasurer 		Sir Patrick Jennings 26 February 1886 19 January 1887 327 days
Colonial Secretary George Dibbs
Minister of Public Instruction Arthur Renwick
Minister of Justice James Garvan
Attorney General Jack Want
Secretary for Lands Henry Copeland
Secretary for Public Works William Lyne
Postmaster-General Francis Suttor
Secretary for Mines James Fletcher 23 December 1886 300 days
Charles Mackellar MLC 24 December 1886 19 January 1887 24 days
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
Vice-President of the Executive Council 		26 February 1886 23 December 1886 300 days

Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Serle, Percival (1949). "Jennings, Sir Patrick Alfred (1831–1897)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. ^ Green, Antony (20 October 2010). "Centenary of the First NSW Labor Government". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012.
  3. ^ Twomey, Anne (2004). The Constitution of New South Wales. Federation Press. pp. 442. ISBN 9781862875166. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  4. ^ Green, Antony. "By-elections 1885-87". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b Cahill, A. E. "Jennings, Sir Patrick Alfred (1831–1897)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 6 March 2021.

 

Preceded byFifth Robertson ministry Jennings ministry 1886–1887 Succeeded byFourth Parkes ministry
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