# Stuart ministry

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The **Stuart ministry** was the 20th ministry of the [Colony of New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), and was led by Sir [Alexander Stuart](/source/Alexander_Stuart_(Australian_politician)). Stuart was elected to the [New South Wales Legislative Assembly](/source/New_South_Wales_Legislative_Assembly) in [1874](/source/New_South_Wales_colonial_election,_1874%E2%80%9375).

The title of [Premier](/source/Premier_of_New_South_Wales) was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887.[1] Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.[2] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion a poll was required for [East Sydney](/source/1883_East_Sydney_colonial_by-election_1) where [George Reid](/source/George_Reid) was easily re-elected and [Newtown](/source/1883_Newtown_colonial_by-election) where [Henry Copeland](/source/Henry_Copeland_(politician)) was narrowly defeated. Copeland was able to return to the assembly the following week due to a [vacancy at East Sydney](/source/1883_East_Sydney_colonial_by-election_2). The 6 other ministers, Sir Alexander Stuart ([Illawarra](/source/Electoral_district_of_Illawarra)), [George Dibbs](/source/George_Dibbs) ([St Leonards](/source/Electoral_district_of_St_Leonards)), [Henry Cohen](/source/Henry_Cohen_(Australian_politician)) ([West Maitland](/source/Electoral_district_of_West_Maitland)), [James Farnell](/source/James_Farnell) ([New England](/source/Electoral_district_of_New_England)), [Francis Wright](/source/Francis_Wright_(Australian_politician)) ([Redfern](/source/Electoral_district_of_Redfern)) and [Joseph Abbott](/source/Joseph_Palmer_Abbott) ([Gunnedah](/source/Electoral_district_of_Gunnedah)), were re-elected unopposed. The minister subsequently appointed, [William Trickett](/source/William_Trickett) ([Paddington](/source/Electoral_district_of_Paddington_(New_South_Wales))) was also re-elected unopposed.[3]

In January 1884 the Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that an error in the drafting of the constitution meant that George Reid could not be validly appointed Minister of Public Instruction, and declared his seat vacant.[4] Reid was defeated in the [resulting by-election](/source/1884_East_Sydney_colonial_by-election) in February 1884.[3]

This ministry covers the period from 5 January 1883 until 6 October 1885. Suffering a paralytic stroke whilst in office, [William Dalley](/source/William_Bede_Dalley) was acting Premier from late 1884, with Dalley deciding to send a [contingent of troops](/source/New_South_Wales_Contingent) to the [Sudan](/source/Sudan). Stuart resumed his duties in May 1885 before resigning in October due to continued ill health. His Treasurer, George Dibbs, succeeded Stuart as Premier.[5][6][7]

## Composition of ministry

Portfolio Minister Term start Term end Term length Premier Colonial Secretary Sir Alexander Stuart[a] 5 January 1883 6 October 1885 2 Colonial Treasurer George Dibbs Minister of Public Instruction George Reid 6 March 1884 1 William Trickett 2 May 1884 6 October 1885 1 Minister of Justice Henry Cohen 5 January 1883 2 Attorney General Representative of the Government in Legislative Council William Dalley MLC[a] Secretary for Lands James Farnell Secretary for Public Works Henry Copeland 28 March 1883 82 days Francis Wright 28 May 1883 6 October 1885 862 days Postmaster-General 5 January 1883 27 May 1883 142 days William Trickett 28 May 1883 1 May 1884 339 days James Norton MLC 2 May 1884 6 October 1885 1 Secretary for Mines Joseph Abbott 5 January 1883 2 Vice-President of the Executive Council Sir Patrick Jennings 31 July 1883 207 days

1. Due to the illness of Sir Alexander Stuart, in addition to his other responsibilities, William Dalley was also charged with the duties of Colonial Secretary from 7 October 1884 to 11 May 1885.

Ministers are members of the [Legislative Assembly](/source/New_South_Wales_Legislative_Assembly) unless otherwise noted.

## See also

- [Self-government in New South Wales](/source/History_of_New_South_Wales#Self-government_and_democracy)
- [Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1882–1885](/source/Members_of_the_New_South_Wales_Legislative_Assembly,_1882%E2%80%931885)
- [Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1882–1885](/source/Members_of_the_New_South_Wales_Legislative_Council,_1882%E2%80%931885)

## References

1. Green, Antony (20 October 2010). ["Centenary of the First NSW Labor Government"](http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2010/10/centenary-of-the-first-nsw-labor-government.html). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120310012037/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2010/10/centenary-of-the-first-nsw-labor-government.html) 10 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Twomey, Anne (2004). [*The Constitution of New South Wales*](https://books.google.com/books?id=KayCZfZwafwC&pg=PA442). Federation Press. pp. [442](https://books.google.com/books?id=KayCZfZwafwC&pg=PA442). ISBN 9781862875166. Retrieved 2020-11-24.

1. "By-elections 1882-85". 1882. Retrieved 2021-03-05.

1. Twomey (2004), pp. [433–4](https://books.google.com/books?id=KayCZfZwafwC&pg=PA433).

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