O'Connor Ministry
Encyclopedia
The O'Connor Ministry was the 28th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia
, and was led by Liberal
Premier Ray O'Connor
and his deputy Cyril Rushton. It succeeded the Court Ministry
on 25 January 1982, upon the retirement of Sir Charles Court
from politics. The ministry was in turn followed by the Burke Ministry
on 25 February 1983 after the Liberal Party lost government at the state election
held on 19 February.
, who had been in parliament since 1959 and a Minister since 1974, had replaced Des O'Neil as Deputy Premier upon the latter's retirement from politics at the 1980 election
. On 18 December 1981, Sir Charles Court
, then 70 years of age, announced his decision that he would step down as Premier on 25 January 1982. O'Connor was elected unopposed by the party room to replace him.
The final term of the preceding Court Ministry
had been somewhat troubled due in part to the inconsistent support of Liberal MLA Dr Tom Dadour and the 1978 split of the National Country Party
, with a breakaway National Party maintaining an independent line and holding three seats. A range of issues in several portfolios, most notably Aboriginal affairs and education, had received public prominence.
Of the former Court ministry, 10 of the 13 ministers retained office—Sir Charles Court
, Bill Grayden
and David Wordsworth resigned, and backbenchers Bob Pike, Jim Clarko
and Richard Shalders were promoted. The latter two were initially Honorary Ministers, but were fully promoted on 14 May 1982.
, constituted the Ministry. He designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the end of the Ministry on 25 February 1983. Two honorary ministers, Jim Clarko and Richard Shalders, were appointed to assist ministers in various portfolios, and on 14 May 1982, they fully assumed the portfolios. This was done pursuant to the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1980 (No.5 of 1980), assented on 9 September 1980, which had grown the Ministry from 13 to 15.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party
, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party
. The members of the Ministry were:
Government of Western Australia
The formation of the Government of Western Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1890, although it has been amended many times since then...
, and was led by Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
Premier Ray O'Connor
Ray O'Connor
Raymond James "Ray" O'Connor was the 22nd Premier of Western Australia.-Pre-political life:He was born in Perth and attended schools in towns of Narrogin and York, and St Patrick's Boys' School in Perth...
and his deputy Cyril Rushton. It succeeded the Court Ministry
Court Ministry
The Court Ministry was the 27th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Liberal Premier Sir Charles Court and deputy Des O'Neil . It commenced on 5 June 1975, following the Court-McPharlin Ministry, 15 months after the Coalition's electoral defeat of the Tonkin Labor government...
on 25 January 1982, upon the retirement of Sir Charles Court
Charles Court
Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, was a Western Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia and member for the seat of Nedlands for the Liberal Party for nearly 30 years.-Early life:...
from politics. The ministry was in turn followed by the Burke Ministry
First Burke Ministry
The First Burke Ministry was the 39th ministry to come from the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. It was sworn in on 9 February 1999, following the resignation of former Chief Minister Shane Stone the previous day...
on 25 February 1983 after the Liberal Party lost government at the state election
Western Australian state election, 1983
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 19 February 1983 to elect all 57 members to the Legislative Assembly and 18 members to the 34-seat Legislative Council....
held on 19 February.
Overview
Ray O'ConnorRay O'Connor
Raymond James "Ray" O'Connor was the 22nd Premier of Western Australia.-Pre-political life:He was born in Perth and attended schools in towns of Narrogin and York, and St Patrick's Boys' School in Perth...
, who had been in parliament since 1959 and a Minister since 1974, had replaced Des O'Neil as Deputy Premier upon the latter's retirement from politics at the 1980 election
Western Australian state election, 1980
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 23 February 1980 to elect all 55 members to the Legislative Assembly and 16 members to the 32-seat Legislative Council...
. On 18 December 1981, Sir Charles Court
Charles Court
Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, was a Western Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia and member for the seat of Nedlands for the Liberal Party for nearly 30 years.-Early life:...
, then 70 years of age, announced his decision that he would step down as Premier on 25 January 1982. O'Connor was elected unopposed by the party room to replace him.
The final term of the preceding Court Ministry
Court Ministry
The Court Ministry was the 27th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Liberal Premier Sir Charles Court and deputy Des O'Neil . It commenced on 5 June 1975, following the Court-McPharlin Ministry, 15 months after the Coalition's electoral defeat of the Tonkin Labor government...
had been somewhat troubled due in part to the inconsistent support of Liberal MLA Dr Tom Dadour and the 1978 split of the National Country Party
National Party of Western Australia
The National Party of Western Australia is a political party in Western Australia. It is affiliated with the National Party of Australia but maintains a separate structure and identity....
, with a breakaway National Party maintaining an independent line and holding three seats. A range of issues in several portfolios, most notably Aboriginal affairs and education, had received public prominence.
Of the former Court ministry, 10 of the 13 ministers retained office—Sir Charles Court
Charles Court
Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, was a Western Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia and member for the seat of Nedlands for the Liberal Party for nearly 30 years.-Early life:...
, Bill Grayden
Bill Grayden
William Leonard "Bill" Grayden AM was an Australian politician. Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at state schools and then at Perth Technical College, becoming a mechanical engineer. He served in the military from 1940-1946...
and David Wordsworth resigned, and backbenchers Bob Pike, Jim Clarko
Jim Clarko
Jim Clarko is a former Australian Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Karrinyup between 1974 and 1989, when the seat was abolished, and for Marmion from 1989 to the seat's abolition in 1996. From May 1982, he was Australia's Minister for Education.-References:...
and Richard Shalders were promoted. The latter two were initially Honorary Ministers, but were fully promoted on 14 May 1982.
The Ministry
On 25 January 1982, the Governor, Sir Richard TrowbridgeRichard Trowbridge
Rear Admiral Sir Richard John Trowbridge, KCVO , was Western Australia's twenty-fifth Governor from 25 November 1980 to 24 November 1983, and the last British-born vice-regal representative in Australia....
, constituted the Ministry. He designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the end of the Ministry on 25 February 1983. Two honorary ministers, Jim Clarko and Richard Shalders, were appointed to assist ministers in various portfolios, and on 14 May 1982, they fully assumed the portfolios. This was done pursuant to the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1980 (No.5 of 1980), assented on 9 September 1980, which had grown the Ministry from 13 to 15.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party
National Party of Western Australia
The National Party of Western Australia is a political party in Western Australia. It is affiliated with the National Party of Australia but maintains a separate structure and identity....
. The members of the Ministry were:
| Office | Minister |
|---|---|
Premier Premier of Western Australia The Premier of Western Australia is the head of the executive government in the Australian State of Western Australia. The Premier has similar functions in Western Australia to those performed by the Prime Minister of Australia at the national level, subject to the different Constitutions... and Treasurer Treasurer of Western Australia The Treasurer of the State of Western Australia is the title held by the Cabinet Minister who is responsible for the management of Western Australia's public sector finances, and for preparing and delivering the annual State Budget... Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development |
Ray O'Connor Ray O'Connor Raymond James "Ray" O'Connor was the 22nd Premier of Western Australia.-Pre-political life:He was born in Perth and attended schools in towns of Narrogin and York, and St Patrick's Boys' School in Perth... , MLA |
Deputy Premier Deputy Premier of Western Australia The Deputy Premier of Western Australia is a role in the Government of Western Australia assigned to a responsible Minister in the Australian state of Western Australia. It has second ranking behind the Premier of Western Australia in Cabinet, and its holder serves as Acting Premier during absence... Minister for Transport Minister for Emergency Services |
Cyril Rushton, MLA |
Minister for Agriculture Minister for Primary Industry Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife |
Dick Old, MLA |
Attorney-General Attorney-General of Western Australia The Attorney-General of Western Australia is the member of the Government of Western Australia responsible for maintenance and improvement of Western Australia's system of law and justice. Before the advent of representative government in 1870, the title was Advocate-General of Western Australia... Minister for Federal Affairs Minister for Police (from 30 December 1982) Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council |
Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B. Bachelor of Laws The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree... , MLC |
Minister for Works Minister for Water Resources Minister for Education Minister for Education (Western Australia) The Minister for Education of Western Australia is the member of the Government of Western Australia responsible for maintenance and improvement of Western Australia's system of education, and is answerable to the Parliament for all actions taken by the Department of Education and Training under... Minister assisting the Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development |
Andrew Mensaros Andrew Mensaros Andrew Mensaros, , was a politician in Western Australia. Born in Hungary, and educated at the University of Budapest. A member of the Liberal Party of Australia, he served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the division of Floreat from 1968 until his death in 1991... , MLA |
Minister for Resources Development Minister for Mines Minister for Fuel and Energy |
Peter Jones, MLA |
Minister for Health (until 14 May 1982:)
|
Ray Young Ray Young (politician) Raymond Laurence Young was an Australian politician. He was a Liberal member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1971 to 1983.... , Dip.Acctg, MLA |
|
Minister for Police (until 30 December 1982) Minister for Prisons Minister assisting the Minister for Emergency Services |
Bill Hassell, LL.B., MA Master of Arts (postgraduate) A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees... , MLA |
Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Immigration |
Gordon Masters, MLC |
Minister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning |
June Craig, MLA |
Minister for Lands Minister for Forests Minister for Conservation and the Environment |
Ian Laurance, Dip.Teach, BA, FAIM, MLA |
Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce Minister for Regional Administration Minister for the North-West Minister for Tourism |
Barry MacKinnon, BEc, Dip.Acctg, FASA, MLA |
Chief Secretary Minister for Prisons (from 30 December 1982) Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation |
Bob Pike, MLC |
Minister for Education Minister for Education (Western Australia) The Minister for Education of Western Australia is the member of the Government of Western Australia responsible for maintenance and improvement of Western Australia's system of education, and is answerable to the Parliament for all actions taken by the Department of Education and Training under... |
Jim Clarko Jim Clarko Jim Clarko is a former Australian Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Karrinyup between 1974 and 1989, when the seat was abolished, and for Marmion from 1989 to the seat's abolition in 1996. From May 1982, he was Australia's Minister for Education.-References:... , BA, DipEd, MA, MLA (from 14 May 1982) |
Minister for Community Welfare Minister for Housing Minister for Consumer Affairs |
Richard Shalders, Dip.Teach, MLA (from 14 May 1982) |