The Cahill ministry (1953–1956) or Second Cahill ministry was the 56th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 29th Premier, the Honourable Joe Cahill, MLA, of the Australian Labor Party. The ministry was the second of four consecutive occasions when the Government was led by Cahill, as Premier.
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Cahill was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1925 and served until 1932, representing the seats of St George and Arncliffe before being defeated. He was re-elected in 1935, again representing Arncliffe, and then represented Cook's River between 1941 and 1959. Having served continuously as Secretary for Public Works in the first, second, and third ministries of Jim McGirr, when Deputy Premier Jack Baddeley resigned, Cahill was appointed as McGirr's deputy on 21 September 1949. McGirr resigned as Premier several years later, on 2 April 1952, and Cahill was elected as Labor Leader and became Premier.
This ministry covers the period from 23 February 1953 when Cahill won the 1953 state election, until 15 March 1956 when Cahill led Labor to victory at the 1956 state election and the Third Cahill ministry was formed.
First arrangement
The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Cahill following the 1953 state election on 23 February 1953, and covers the period until 16 September 1953, when there was a minor rearrangement of the ministry. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in most cases, serve the full term of this ministry.
^1 Martin dies while in office, serving as Minister for Transport. Cahill serves briefly as Minister for Transport in addition to other portfolios before rearranging the ministry. ^2 Heffron served as Secretary for Mines before Buckley, who was without portfolio, was appointed to the role. ^5 After voting against the Government, in 1954 Evatt was forced to resign from the ministry and later expelled from the Labor Party.Second arrangement
The rearrangement of the ministry was triggered by the death of the Minister for Transport, Captain Clarrie Martin, who died in office on 5 September 1953. Cahill briefly held the Transport portfolio for nine days before he took the opportunity to make a minor rearrangement of the ministry. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. Only changes in portfolios are shown and covers the period until 1 April 1954, when a further rearrangement was made.
^2 Buckley, who was without portfolio, was appointed as Secretary for Mines, replacing Deputy Premier, Bob Heffron. ^3 Wetherell was appointed to the ministry, replacing the recently deceased Martin, as Minister for Transport. ^4 Gollan was appointed to the ministry, replacing the promoted Buckley, as Minister without portfolio. ^6 Buckley's term in the Legislative Council expired on 30 June 1954.Third arrangement
The rearrangement of the ministry was triggered by the actions of the Minister for Housing and Minister for Co-operative Societies, Clive Evatt. In Parliament Evatt voted against the Government's measures to increase fares on public transport. Cahill forced Evatt to resign from the ministry and Evatt was later expelled from the Labor Party. Cahill made a minor rearrangement of the ministry. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. Only changes in portfolios are shown and covers the period until 15 March 1956, when the 1956 state election was held.
^5 Evatt's former portfolios were both initially assumed by Kelly, before McGrath taking the Housing portfolio in late 1954. ^6 Buckley's term in the Legislative Council expired. Gollan was appointed as Secretary for Mines. ^7 Two new ministers, without portfolio, were appointed.