McKell ministry (1941–1944)

McKell ministry
50th Cabinet of the State of New South Wales
Premier William McKell
Date formed 16 May 1941
Date dissolved 8 June 1944
People and organisations
Monarch George VI
Governor The Lord Wakehurst
Premier William McKell
Deputy Premier Jack Baddeley
No. of ministers 15
Member party Labor
Status in legislature Majority government
Opposition party UAP/Country coalition
Opposition leader Alexander Mair / Reginald Weaver
History
Election(s) 1941 New South Wales election
Predecessor Mair–Bruxner ministry
Successor Second McKell ministry

The McKell ministry (1941–1944) or First McKell ministry was the 50th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 27th Premier, William McKell, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the first of two occasions when the Government was led by McKell, as Premier.

McKell was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1917 and served continuously until 1947, when he resigned to become the 12th Governor-General of Australia. Having served as a junior minister in the first and third ministries of Jack Lang, during the 1930s McKell came to oppose Lang's dictatorial rule and critical of electoral failures. In 1939 McKell displaced Lang as Labor leader and NSW Leader of the Opposition.

McKell led Labor to victory at the 1941 state election, defeating the United Australia Party / Country Party coalition of Alexander Mair and Michael Bruxner.

This ministry covers the period from 16 May 1941 until 8 June 1944, when the 1944 state election saw McKell re-elected for a subsequent term.

Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McKell on 16 May 1941 and covers the full term of government, until 8 June 1944.

Portfolio Minister Party Term commence Term end Term of office
Premier
Treasurer
William McKell   Labor       16 May 1941 8 June 1944 3 years, 23 days
Deputy Premier
Chief Secretary
Secretary for Mines
Jack Baddeley
Minister for National Emergency Services Bob Heffron
Attorney–General Clarrie Martin, KC
Minister for Agriculture and Forests Bill Dunn
Minister for Education Clive Evatt
Minister for Labour and Industry and Social Services Hamilton Knight
Minister of Justice
Vice-President of the Executive Council
Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council
Reg Downing, MLC
Secretary for Public Works Joseph Cahill
Minister for Health Gus Kelly
Minister for Local Government and Housing Jim McGirr
Secretary for Lands Jack Tully
Minister for Transport Maurice O'Sullivan
Assistant Minister Carlo Lazzarini
William Dickson, MLC

See also