Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1932–1935)

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, Bertram Stevens, in a United Australia Party coalition with the Country Party, that was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Bruxner, DSO. 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.[1][2]

Stevens–Bruxner ministry

46th Cabinet of the State of New South Wales
Premier Bertram Stevens
Date formed13 May 1932
Date dissolved10 February 1935
People and organisations
MonarchGeorge V
GovernorSir Philip Game
Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven
PremierBertram Stevens
Deputy PremierMichael Bruxner
No. of ministers12
Member partyUAP/Country coalition
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition partyLabor (NSW)
Opposition leaderJack Lang
History
Election1932 New South Wales election
PredecessorThird Lang ministry
SuccessorSecond Stevens-Bruxner ministry

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,[3] at the 1930 state election, Stevens was elected leader of the newly formed United Australia Party in New South Wales and became Leader of the Opposition.[4] 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[1] when the 1935 state election saw the Stevens–Bruxner coalition re-elected for a subsequent term.

Composition of ministry

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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. 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.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier Bertram Stevens   United Australia 13 May 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 273 days
Sole Executive Councillor 15 May 1932 2 days
Treasurer 16 May 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 270 days
Deputy Premier[a]
Minister for Transport
Michael Bruxner   Country
Minister for Local Government 17 June 1932 32 days
Joseph Jackson[b]   United Australia 18 June 1932 14 February 1933 241 days
Eric Spooner 15 February 1933 10 February 1935 1 year, 360 days
Secretary for Public Works
Minister for Health
Reginald Weaver 16 May 1932 2 years, 270 days
Chief Secretary Frank Chaffey
Secretary for Mines 17 June 1932 32 days
Roy Vincent   Country 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Secretary for Lands Ernest Buttenshaw 16 May 1932 2 years, 270 days
Minister for Education David Drummond
Attorney General Sir Daniel Levy   United Australia 17 June 1932 32 days
Henry Manning, KC, MLC 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Minister for Justice Sir Daniel Levy 16 May 1932 17 June 1932 32 days
Lewis Martin 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Minister for Labour and Industry John Dunningham 16 May 1932 2 years, 270 days
Minister for Agriculture Hugh Main   Country
Minister for Forests 17 June 1932 32 days
Roy Vincent 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Vice-president of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
James Ryan, MLC   United Australia 16 May 1932 17 June 1932 32 days
Henry Manning, KC, MLC 18 June 1932 10 February 1935 2 years, 237 days
Assistant Minister in the Legislative Council James Ryan, MLC
Honorary Minister assisting Colonial Treasurer Eric Spooner 14 February 1933 241 days
Assistant Treasurer 15 February 1933 10 February 1935 1 year, 360 days
Honorary Minister assisting the Minister for Labour and Industry Herbert Hawkins, MLC 18 June 1932 5 January 1933 201 days
Assistant Colonial Secretary 5 January 1933 10 February 1935 2 years, 36 days
Honorary Minister Herbert FitzSimons 15 February 1933 1 year, 360 days

  Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

  1. ^ Portfolio and position of Deputy Premier created for the first time.
  2. ^ Resigned office.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Former members of the New South Wales Parliament, 1856–2006". New South Wales Parliament. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  3. ^ McCarthy, John. "Bavin, Sir Thomas Rainsford (Tom) (1874–1941)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  4. ^ Ward, John M. "Stevens, Sir Bertram Sydney Barnsdale (1889–1973)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 2 November 2021.

 

New South Wales government ministries
Preceded by First Stevens–Bruxner ministry
1932–1935
Succeeded by