# Askin–Cutler ministry (1973)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1973) or Fifth Askin ministry was the 66th ministry of the government of New South Wales, and was led by the 32nd Premier, Sir Robert Askin, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by Sir Charles Cutler. It was the fifth of six occasions when Askin was Premier and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.

## Background

Askin was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously until 1975, representing variously the seats of Collaroy and Pittwater. Rising through the Liberal Party ranks, Askin served as Deputy Leader from 1954 until he was elected Leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Leader of the NSW Opposition, following the defeat of the Morton/Hughes–led coalition by Cahill's Labor at the 1959 election. Cutler was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1947 and served continuously until 1975, representing the seat of Orange. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1958 and, like Askin, Cutler was elected as leader of his party following the 1959 state election, replacing Davis Hughes. The Askin/Cutler–led Liberal/Country coalition was defeated at the 1962 election by Labor's Bob Heffron. In April 1964 Jack Renshaw replaced Heffron as Leader of the Labor Party and became Premier. Twelve months later, Renshaw called an election held on 13 May 1965; however after 24 years of consecutive Labor governments, Askin and Cutler led the coalition to government at the 1965 state election.
The first Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from 1965 until the 1968 state election; when the coalition again won office. The second Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1968 election until 11 February 1969, when the ministry was reconfigured. The third Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1969 reconfiguration until the 1971 state election. The fourth Askin/Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1971 election until 17 January 1973, when the ministry was reconfigured following the resignation of Davis Hughes in order to take up a posting as Agent-General of New South Wales in London.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin on 17 January 1973, and covers the period until 3 December 1973, when Askin and Cutler led the Liberal/Country coalition to a sixth term following victory at the 1973 state election, defeating Labor led by Pat Hills.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Sir Robert Askin | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Sir Charles Cutler | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Education | Eric Willis | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Attorney General | Ken McCaw QC | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Transport | Milton Morris | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Public Works | Leon Punch | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Lands Minister for Tourism | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Environmental Control | Jack Beale | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Geoff Crawford | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister of Justice | John Maddison | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Health | Harry Jago | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Mines Minister for Power Assistant Treasurer | Wal Fife | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Labor and Industry | Frederick Hewitt, MLC | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Youth and Community Services | John Waddy | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Conservation Minister for Cultural Activities | George Freudenstein | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Tim Bruxner | Country | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
| Chief Secretary Minister for Sport | Ian Griffith | Liberal | 17 January 1973 | 3 December 1973 | 320 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.