Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1938–39)

State of New South Wales (1915–1938)

The Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1938–1939) or Third Stevens–Bruxner ministry or Third Stevens ministry was the 48th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 25th Premier, the Honourable Bertram Stevens, MLA, in an United Australia Party coalition with the Country Party, that was led by the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Bruxner, DSO, MLA. The ministry was the third of three occasions when the Government was led by Stevens, as Premier; and third of four occasions where Bruxner served as Deputy Premier.

Stevens was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1927 and served continuously until 1940. Having served as a senior minister in the Bavin ministry, following the defeat of the Nationalist coalition led by Bavin, who was in poor health, at the 1932 state election, Stevens was elected leader of the newly formed United Australia Party (UAP) in New South Wales and became Opposition Leader. Bruxner was first elected to the Assembly in 1920 and served continuously until 1962. Initially a member of the Progressive Party, he served as party leader in opposition between 1922 and 1925; and resumed leadership in 1932, following the resignation of his successor, Ernest Buttenshaw. By this stage, the party was renamed as the Country Party.

The Stevens–Bruxner coalition came to power as a result of the Lang Dismissal Crisis, when the Governor of New South Wales, Philip Game used the reserve power of The Crown to remove Jack Lang as Premier, asking Stevens to form government. Going to the pollls a month later, Stevens/Bruxner won a landslide victory at the 1932 state election and were re-elected at the 1935 and 1938 state elections, albeit with reduced margins.

This ministry covers the period from 13 April 1938 until 5 August 1939 when the deputy leader of the UAP, Eric Spooner resigned from cabinet and on 1 August 1939, moved a no confidence motion against Stevens for not running a balanced budget. Stevens resigned as Premier and Leader of the UAP, and was succeeded by Alexander Mair, who formed a coalition with Bruxner.

Composition of ministry

First arrangement

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Stevens on 13 April 1938 and covers the period until 13 October 1938 when there was a minor rearrangement, unless the Minister retains the portfolio for the full term. Ministers are listed in order of seniority.

Portfolio	Minister	Party		Term commence	Term end	Term of office
Premier	Hon. Bertram Stevens, MLA		UAP	13 April 1938	5 August 1939
Colonial Treasurer					13 October 1938	days
Deputy Premier Minister for Transport	Hon. Lieut-Colonel Michael Bruxner, DSO, MLA		Country		5 August 1939
Attorney–General Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council	Hon. Henry Manning, KC, BA, LLB, MLC		UAP
Secretary for Public Works Minister for Local Government	Hon. Eric Spooner, MLA				21 July 1939
Minister of Education	Hon. David Drummond, MLA		Country		5 August 1939
Minister for Labour and Industry	Hon. John Dunninghan, MLA		UAP		26 May 1938	days
	Hon. Alexander Mair, MLA			1 June 1938	13 October 1938	days
Assistant Minister				13 April 1938	1 June 1938	days
Minister for Justice	Hon. Lewis Martin, BA, LLB, MLA				5 August 1939
Minister for Health	Hon. Herbert FitzSimons, MLA
Minister for Social Services	Hon. Herbert Hawkins, MLC				13 October 1938	days
Colonial Secretary	Hon. George Gollan, MLA				5 August 1939
Minister for Lands	Hon. Colin Sinclair, BA, LLB, MLA		Country
Minister for Agriculture	Hon. Major Albert Reid, MC, MLA
Honorary Minister	Hon. Athol Richardson		UAP		13 October 1938	days
Secretary for Mines Minister for Forests	Hon. Roy Vincent, MLA		Country		5 August 1939

^a Resigned as Premier as a result of a no confidence motion being passed

^b Spooner, Deputy Leader of the UAP, resigned in protest against Stevens and his ability to run a balanced budget. Spooner went on to move a motion of no confidence in Stevens that resulted in Stevens resigning as Premier.

^c Died in office

Secoond arrangement

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Stevens on 13 October 1938 and covers the period until 5 August 1939 when Stevens resigned as Premier. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. Only changes in portfolios are shown.

Portfolio	Minister	Party		Term commence	Term end	Term of office
Colonial Treasurer	Hon. Alexander Mair, MLA		UAP	13 October 1938	5 August 1939	days
Minister for Labour and Industry	Hon. Herbert Hawkins, MLC				16 June 1939	days
	Hon. Athol Richardson, MLA			26 June 1939	5 August 1939	days
Minister for Social Services				13 October 1938		days
Member of the Executive Council Assistant Minister	Hon. Hubert Primrose, MLA			26 June 1939		days
	Hon. Marsden Manfred, MLC
Secretary for Public Works Minister for Local Government	Hon. Bertram Stevens, MLA			21 July 1939		days

^a Died in office

See also

• Bertram Stevens - 25th Premier of New South Wales
• Michael Bruxner - Leader of the New South Wales Country Party
• First Stevens–Bruxner ministry
• Second Stevens–Bruxner ministry
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1938-1941

References

Preceded by Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1935–1938)

Stevens–Bruxner ministry (1938–1939) 1938–1939

Succeeded by Mair–Bruxner ministry