Cabinet Name: | Parker ministry |
Cabinet Number: | 3rd |
Jurisdiction: | the Colony of New South Wales |
Flag Border: | true |
Image Size2: | x85px |
Government Head: | Henry Parker |
State Head: | Queen Victoria |
State Head Title: | Monarch |
Governor: | William Denison |
Members Number: | 6 |
Political Party: | unaligned |
Legislature Status: | Minority government |
Opposition Party: | unaligned |
Opposition Leader: | Charles Cowper |
Previous: | First Cowper ministry |
Successor: | Second Cowper ministry |
The Parker ministry was the third ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Henry Parker. Parker was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856 and, following the failure of the Donaldson and Cowper Governments to maintain the confidence of the Assembly, was asked to form Government.
The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.
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.[1] Henry Parker narrowly won the by election for Parramatta.[2] John Darvall comfortably won the by-election for Cumberland North Riding,[3] and William Manning comfortably won the by-election for Cumberland South Riding,[4] Stuart Donaldson was defeated at the by election for Sydney Hamlets,[5] however he re-gained a seat in the parliament at the November by-election for Cumberland South Riding,[6] Only John Hay (Murrumbidgee) was re-elected unopposed.[7]
This ministry covers the period from 3 October 1856 until on 7 September 1857, when Parker resigned his commission, having lost an electoral bill. During this period, there was a slight re-arrangement to the ministry, following the resignation of William Manning on account of ill-health, with John Darvall promoted to Attorney-General and Edward Wise being appointed to the junior role of Solicitor-General.
Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
---|---|---|---|---|
Premier Colonial Secretary | 3 October 1856 | 7 September 1857 | ||
Colonial Treasurer | ||||
Secretary for Lands and Works | ||||
Attorney-General | 3 October 1856 | 25 May 1857 | ||
26 May 1857 | 7 September 1857 | |||
Solicitor-General | 3 October 1856 | 23 May 1857 | ||
23 May 1857 | 7 September 1857 | |||
Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | MLC | 3 October 1856 |