McGirr ministry (1947–50)

The McGirr ministry (1947–1950) or Second McGirr ministry was the 53rd ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 28th Premier, the Honourable Jim McGirr, MLA, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the second of three consecutive occasions when the Government was led by McGirr, as Premier.

McGirr was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1922 and served continuously until 1952, holding the various seats of Cootamundra, Cumberland, Bankstown, and Liverpool. Having served in the third ministry of Jack Lang, and the first and second ministries of William McKell, McGirr was variously torn between Lang Labor and the newly formed Australian Labor Party. When McKell stood aside as Premier in 1947 in order to take up an appointment as Governor-General of Australia, McGirr was elected Labor Leader and became Premier. McGirr led Labor to victory at the 1947 state election.

This ministry covers the period from 19 May 1947 until the 1950 state election, held on 30 June,[1] when McGirr led Labor to victory and the Third McGirr ministry was sworn in.

Composition of ministry

First arrangement

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McGirr on 19 May 1947 and covers the period up to 21 September 1949; with several minor rearrangements. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in some cases, serve the full term of parliament.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier
Colonial Treasurer		 Hon. Jim McGirr, MLA   Labor 19 May 1947 30 June 1950 3 years, 42 days
Deputy Premier
Colonial Secretary
Secretary for Mines
Minister for National Emergency Services		 Hon. Jack Baddeley, MLA   8 September 1949 2 years, 112 days
Minister for Housing
Assistant Treasurer		 Hon. Clive Evatt, KC, MLA   30 June 1950 3 years, 42 days
Minister of Education Hon. Bob Heffron, MLA  
Attorney–General Hon. Clarrie Martin, KC, MLA  
Minister for Labour and Industryand Social Services Hon. Hamilton Knight, MLA   29 October 1947 163 days
Hon. Jack Baddeley, MLA   29 October 1947 9 March 1948 132 days
Hon. Frank Finnan, MLA   9 March 1948 30 June 1950 2 years, 113 days
Minister for Justice
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council		 Hon. Reg Downing, MLC   19 May 1947 30 June 1950 3 years, 42 days
Secretary for Public Works
Minister for Local Government		 Hon. Joseph Cahill, MLA  
Minister for Health Hon. Gus Kelly, MLA  
Minister for Transport Hon. Maurice O'Sullivan, MLA  
Assistant Minister Hon. William Dickson, MLC   9 March 1948 132 days
Minister for Agriculture Hon. Eddie Graham, MLA   30 June 1950 3 years, 42 days
Minister for Conservation Hon. George Weir, MLA  
Minister in Charge of Tourist Activitiesand Immigration Hon. Frank Finnan, MLA   9 March 1948 132 days
Hon. Claude Matthews, MLA   9 March 1948 21 September 1949 1 year, 196 days
Minister for Building Materials   19 May 1947 9 March 1948 132 days
Hon. William Dickson, MLC   9 March 1948 21 September 1949 1 year, 196 days
Secretary for Lands Hon. Bill Sheahan, KC, MLA   19 May 1947 30 June 1950 3 years, 42 days

Second arrangement

The rearrangement of the Ministry was triggered by the resignation of Deputy Premier, Jack Baddeley on 8 September 1949. Baddeley suffered a heart attack in December 1948 while serving as Acting Premier.[2] Joseph Cahill succeeded Baddeley as Deputy Premier. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. Only changes in portfolios are shown and covers the period up until the 1950 state election.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Colonial Secretary
Secretary for Mines
Minister for National Emergency Services		 Hon. Jim McGirr, MLA   Labor 8 September 1949 21 September 1949 13 days
Deputy Premier Hon. Joseph Cahill, MLA   21 September 1949 30 June 1950 282 days
Colonial Secretary Hon. Claude Matthews, MLA  
Minister for Co-operative Societies Hon. Clarrie Martin, KC, MLA  
Secretary for Mines
Minister for Building Materials		 Hon. William Dickson, MLC  
Minister without portfolio Hon. Joshua Arthur, MLA   15 September 1949 21 September 1949 6 days
Minister in Charge of Tourist Activities and Immigration   21 September 1949 30 June 1950 282 days

See also

References
  1. "Part 6: Ministries" (PDF). New South Wales Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. "Mr John Marcus Baddeley (1881–1953)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
Preceded by
McGirr ministry (1947)		 McGirr ministry (1947–1950)
1947–1950		 Succeeded by
McGirr ministry (1950–1952)
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