Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1932–35)

State of New South Wales (1915–1938)

The Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1932–1935) or First Stevens–Bruxner ministry or First Stevens ministry was the 46th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 25th Premier, the Honourable Bertram Stevens, MLA, in a United Australia Party coalition with the Country Party, that was led by the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Bruxner, DSO, MLA. The ministry was one of three occasions when the Government was led by Stevens, as Premier; and one of four occasions where Bruxner served as Deputy Premier.

Stevens was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1927 and served continuously until 1940. Having served as a senior minister in the Bavin ministry, following the defeat of the Nationalist coalition led by Bavin, who was in poor health,[1] at the 1932 state election, Stevens was elected leader of the newly formed United Australia Party (UAP) in New South Wales and became Opposition Leader. Bruxner was first elected to the Assembly in 1920 and served continuously until 1962. Initially a member of the Progressive Party, he served as party leader in opposition between 1922 and 1925; and resumed leadership in 1932, following the resignation of his successor, Ernest Buttenshaw. By this stage, the party was renamed as the Country Party.

This ministry covers the period from 13 May 1932 when, as a result of the Lang Dismissal Crisis, the Governor of New South Wales, Philip Game used the reserve power of The Crown to remove Jack Lang as Premier. The ministry served until 10 February 1935[2][3] when the 1935 state election saw the Stevens–Bruxner coalition re-elected for a subsequent term.

Composition of ministry

First arrangement

In the first arrangement, lasting just two days, Stevens was the only Member of Government pending formation of the full ministry as a result of the turmoil following the dismissal of Lang and his third ministry.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier and Executive Councillor Hon. Bertram Stevens, MLA   UAP 13 May 1932 15 May 1932 2 days

Second arrangement

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Stevens on 16 May 1932 and covers a period of a little over one month as an "emergency ministry" up until 17 June 1932 when the outcome of the 1932 state election was determined. At that point, a minor reshuffle of the ministry was effected. A number of ministers appointed in February retained their portfolio for the full term, until the 1935 state election. Ministers are listed in order of seniority.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier
Colonial Treasurer
Hon. Bertram Stevens, MLA   UAP 16 May 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 270 days
Deputy Premier a
Minister for Transport
Hon. Lieut-Colonel Michael Bruxner, DSO, MLA   Country
Minister for Local Government   17 June 1932 32 days
Secretary for Public Works
Minister for Health
Hon. Reginald Weaver, MLA   UAP 10 February 1935 2 years, 270 days
Colonial Secretary Hon. Captain Frank Chaffey, MLA  
Secretary for Mines   17 June 1932 32 days
Minister for Lands Hon. Ernest Buttenshaw, MLA   Country 10 February 1935 2 years, 270 days
Minister of Education Hon. David Drummond, MLA  
Attorney General
Minister for Justice
Hon. Sir Daniel Levy, Kt, BA, LLB, MLA   UAP 17 June 1932 32 days
Minister for Labour and Industry Hon. John Dunninghan, MLA   10 February 1935 2 years, 270 days
Minister for Agriculture Hon. Hugh Main, MLA   Country
Minister for Forests   17 June 1932 32 days
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
Hon. James Ryan, MLC   UAP
^a Portfolio and position of Deputy Premier created for the first time.

Third arrangement

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Stevens on 18 June 1932 and covers the period up to 10 February 1935. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. Only changes in portfolios are shown.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Attorney General
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
Hon. Henry Manning, KC, BA, LLB, MLC   UAP 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Minister for Justice Hon. Lewis Martin, BA, LLB, MLA  
Assistant Minister in the Legislative Council Hon. James Ryan, MLC  
Minister for Local Government Hon. Joseph Jackson, MLA a   14 February 1933 241 days
Hon. Eric Spooner, MLA   15 February 1933 10 February 1935 1 year, 360 days
Honorary Minister assisting Colonial Treasurer
  18 June 1932 14 February 1933 241 days
Assistant Treasurer   15 February 1933 10 February 1935 1 year, 360 days
Secretary for Mines
Minister for Forests
Hon. Roy Vincent, MLA   Country 18 June 1932 2 years, 237 days
Honorary Minister assisting the Minister for Labour and Industry Hon. Herbert Hawkins, MLC   UAP 5 January 1933 201 days
Assistant Colonial Secretary   5 January 1933 10 February 1935 2 years, 36 days
Honorary Minister Hon. Herbert FitzSimons, MLA   15 February 1933 10 February 1935 1 year, 360 days
^a Resigned office

See also

References

  1. McCarthy, John. "Bavin, Sir Thomas Rainsford". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 27 September 2007.
  2. "Former Members - Chronological List of Ministries 1856 to 2009 (requires download)". Project for the Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW. Parliament of New South Wales. Archived from the original (Excel spreadsheet) on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  3. Wah, Malvyne Jong; Page, Jeffrey E. (November 2007). "New South Wales Parliamentary Record 1824 2007" (PDF). VIII. Parliament of New South Wales: 272–273. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
Preceded by
Lang ministry (1930-1932)
Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1932–1935)
1932–1935
Succeeded by
Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1935–1938)
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