The Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969) or Second Askin ministry was the 63rd ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 32nd Premier, the Honourable Robin Askin, MLA, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by the Honourable Charles Cutler, MLA. It was the second of six occasions when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.
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Background
Askin was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1975, representing variously the seats of Collaroy and Pittwater. Rising through the Liberal Party ranks, Askin served as Deputy Leader from 1954 until he was elected Leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Leader of the NSW Opposition, following the defeat of the Morton/Hughes–led coalition by Cahill's Labor at the 1959 election. Cutler was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1947 and served continuously up until 1975, representing the seat of Orange. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1958 and, like Askin, Cutler was elected as leader of his party following the 1959 state election, replacing Davis Hughes. The Askin/Cutler–led Liberal/Country coalition was defeated at the 1962 election by Labor's Bob Heffron. In April 1964 Jack Renshaw replaced Heffron as Leader of the Labor Party and became Premier. Twelve months later, Renshaw called an election held on 13 May 1965; however after 24 years of consecutive Labor governments, Askin and Cutler led the coalition to government at the 1965 state election.
The first Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from 1965 until the 1968 state election; when the coalition again won office.
Tenure of ministry
This ministry covers the period from 5 March 1968 until 11 February 1969, when Askin and Cutler reconfigured the Liberal/Country ministry.
First arrangement
The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin following the 1968 state election, and covers the period up until 22 May 1968, when there was a minor rearrangement of the ministry brought about by the death in office by the Hon. Arthur Bridges, MLC. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in most cases, serve the full term of this ministry.
1 Bridges died in officeSecond arrangement
This arrangement covers the period from a minor ministerial reshuffle on 23 May 1968 until the ministry was reconstituted on 11 February 1969. There was a minor rearrangement of portfolios on 3 September 1968, shown below.
1 Following the death of Bridges, Fuller took on additional responsibilities 2 Following the death of Bridges, Jago temporarily took on additional responsibilities, before the appointment of Hewitt