The Lewis–Punch ministry or Second Lewis ministry was the 69th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 33rd Premier, the Honourable Tom Lewis MLA, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by the Honourable Leon Punch MLA. It was the first of two occasions when Lewis was Premier; and the first of two occasions when Punch served as Deputy Premier.
Contents
Background
Lewis was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1957 and served continuously until 1978, representing the seat of Wollondilly. When the Askin government came to power in 1965, Lewis was given relatively junior portfolios of Lands and Mines. In 1972, Tourism was added to his ministerial responsibilities when Eric Willis moved to Education. Late in 1974, Askin announced his resignation and Lewis was chosen as leader over Willis and Justice Minister John Maddison.
Punch was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1959 and served continuously until 1985, representing variously the seats of Upper Hunter (1959-1962) and then Gloucester (1962-1985. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1973, Punch was elected as leader of his party following the retirement and resignation of the Hon. Sir Charles Cutler KBE ED MLA in December 1975.
Lewis inherited a relatively stable government that had been in power for ten years. However, the Liberal government was engaged in almost daily warfare with the Whitlam Labor federal government, most notably over the Medibank health care scheme, to which New South Wales was the last state to sign.
Tenure of ministry
This ministry covers the period from 17 December 1975, when the former Deputy Premier, Sir Charles Cutler resigned as Deputy Premier, Leader of the Country Party and as Member for Orange, until 23 January 1976, when Lewis was deposed as Liberal leader by the Hon. Sir Eric Willis KBE CMG MLA following a spill motion on 20 January 1976, necessitating a reconfiguration of the ministry as the Willis–Punch ministry.
Composition of ministry
The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Lewis and sworn in on 17 December 1975, and covers the period until 23 January 1976, when the Hon. Eric Willis was sworn in as Premier, replacing Lewis. Ministers are listed in order of seniority and in all cases, serve the full term of this 37‑day ministry.