Dibbs ministry (1885)

The first Dibbs ministry was the 21st ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was the first of three occasions of being led by the Premier, the Honourable George Dibbs. Dibbs was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874.

First Dibbs ministry
21st Cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales
Premier George Dibbs and the Colony of New South Wales (1863–1900)
Date formed7 October 1885 (1885-10-07)
Date dissolved21 December 1885 (1885-12-21)
People and organisations
Head of stateQueen Victoria (represented by Lord Augustus Loftus and subsequently The Lord Carrington)
Head of governmentGeorge Dibbs
No. of ministers10
Member partyunaligned
Status in legislatureMinority government
Opposition partyunaligned
Opposition leaderJohn Robertson
History
PredecessorStuart ministry
SuccessorFifth Robertson ministry

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. These by-elections are only noted when the minister was defeated; in general, he was elected unopposed.

This ministry covers the period from 7 October 1885 until 21 December 1885. Dibbs took over as Premier following the October 1885 resignation of the Hon. Alexander Stuart MLA due to ill-health. At the subsequent election Dibbs' government polled badly and despite attempting to govern; less than three months later when it became clear that there would be a budget deficit of over £1m.[1][2][3] Dibbs was succeeded by John Robertson.[4]

Composition of ministry
Portfolio Minister Term start Term end Term length
Premier Hon. George Dibbs MLA 7 October 1885 21 December 1885 75 days
Colonial Treasurer 10 October 1885 72 days
Colonial Secretary 7 October 1885 9 October 1885 2 days
Hon. Sir Patrick Jennings MLC 10 October 1885 21 December 1885 72 days
Minister of Public Instruction Hon. William Trickett MLA 7 October 1885 75 days
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council Hon. George Thornton MLC 13 November 1885 21 December 1885 38 days
Hon. James Farnell MLC 7 October 1885 9 October 1885 2 days
Minister of Justice
Hon. Thomas Slattery MLA 2 November 1885 21 December 1885 49 days
Attorney-General Hon. Jack Want MLA 7 October 1885 75 days
Secretary for Lands Hon. Joseph Palmer Abbott MLA
Secretary for Public Works Hon. Henry Badgery MLA 31 October 1885 24 days
Hon. William Lyne MLA 2 November 1885 21 December 1885 49 days
Postmaster-General Hon. John See MLA 7 October 1885 75 days
Secretary for Mines Hon. Francis Wright MLA 17 October 1885 10 days
Hon. George Thornton MLC 13 November 1885 21 December 1885 38 days

See also

References
  1. Mansfield, Bruce E. "Dibbs, Sir George Richard (1834–1904)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 5 July 2019 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. "Sir George Richard Dibbs (1834–1904)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  3. Serle, Percival (1949). "Dibbs, Sir George Richard (1834–1904)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. "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 17 July 2011.

 

Preceded by
Stuart ministry		 First Dibbs ministry
1885		 Succeeded by
Fifth Robertson ministry
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