Donaldson ministry

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Donaldson ministry
First ministry of the Colony of New South Wales
Stuart A. Donaldson.jpg Australian states history 09.gif
Premier Stuart Donaldson and the Colony of New South Wales (1856–1859)
Date formed6 June 1856 (1856-06-06)
Date dissolved25 August 1856 (1856-08-25)
People and organisations
Head of stateQueen Victoria (represented by William Denison)
Head of governmentStuart Donaldson
No. of ministers6
Member partyunaligned
Status in legislatureMinority government
Opposition partyunaligned
Opposition leaderCharles Cowper
History
Election(s)1856
SuccessorFirst Cowper ministry

The Donaldson ministry was the first ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Stuart Donaldson. Despite the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly being held in March 1856, it took over two months for Donaldson to form Government. It was sworn in on 6 June 1856, after the 1856 election and lasted just eighty days.[1]

The title of Premier 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. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.[2] Stuart Donaldson comfortably won the by election for Sydney Hamlets,[3] and John Darvall comfortably won the by-election for Cumberland North Riding.[4] Thomas Holt (Stanley Boroughs)[5] and Bob Nichols (Northumberland Boroughs)[6] were re-elected unopposed. William Manning was not required to resign as he held the office of Solicitor-General at the time of his election.[7]

This ministry covers the period from 6 June 1856 until on 25 August 1856, when Donaldson resigned his commission, having lost the confidence of the Assembly.[8]

Composition of ministry[]

Portfolio Minister Term start Term end Term length
Premier
Colonial Secretary
 Stuart Donaldson MLA 6 June 1856 25 August 1856 80 days
Colonial Treasurer Thomas Holt MLA
Attorney General William Manning MLA
Solicitor General John Darvall MLA
Auditor-General
Secretary for Lands and Works 		Bob Nichols MLA
Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council [a] William Mayne MLC 6 August 1856 19 days
  1. ^ A member of the government without a seat in the Cabinet.[9]


Executive Council of NSW, 1856 - photographed by Freeman Brothers (2868834653).jpg
1
2
3
4
5
1
Thomas Holt (Treasurer)
2
William M. Manning (Attorney-General)
3
Stuart Donaldson (Premier)
4
John Darvall (Solicitor-General)
5
Bob Nichols (Auditor-General)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Part 6 Ministries since 1856" (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  2. ^ Twomey, Anne (2004). The Constitution of New South Wales. Federation Press. pp. 442. ISBN 9781862875166.
  3. ^ Green, Antony. "1856 Sydney Hamlets by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  4. ^ Green, Antony. "1856 Cumberland (North Riding) by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  5. ^ Green, Antony. "1856 Stanley Boroughs by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  6. ^ Green, Antony. "1856 Northumberland Boroughs by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  7. ^ Green, Antony. "1856 Cumberland South Riding". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  8. ^ Draper, Sandra. "Donaldson, Sir Stuart Alexander (1812–1867)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 19 November 2020 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  9. ^ "Legislative Council". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 August 1856. p. 5. Retrieved 19 January 2021 – via Trove.

 

First
responsible government
 Donaldson ministry
1856 		Succeeded by
First Cowper ministry
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