# Wran ministry (1976–1978)

The Wran ministry (1976–1978) or First Wran ministry was the 71st ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 35th Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran, representing the Labor Party. It was the first of eight consecutive occasions when Wran was Premier.

## Background

After 11 years in government, the Liberal–National Country Party coalition was narrowly defeated at the election on 1 May 1976 by the Wran–led Labor Party, with a swing to Labor of 6.82% giving Labor a one seat majority.
Wran had been elected to the Legislative Council of New South Wales by a joint sitting of the New South Wales Parliament on 12 March 1970. He was Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council from 22 February 1972. He resigned from the council on 19 October 1973 to switch to the Legislative Assembly, successfully contesting the election for Bass Hill, which he would hold until his retirement in 1986. Labor, led by Pat Hills, was defeated at the 1973 election and Wran successfully challenged Hills to become Leader of Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from 3 December 1973.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Wran and sworn in on 14 May 1976. There were minor rearrangements of the ministry in August 1976 and February 1977. The ministry ended on 19 October 1978, when Wran was successful at the 1978 election and the Second Wran ministry was formed.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier | Neville Wran | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Public Works Minister for Ports | Jack Ferguson | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Housing | Jack Ferguson | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 10 February 1977 | 272 days |
| Minister for Housing | Ron Mulock | Labor | 10 February 1977 | 19 October 1978 | 1 year, 251 days |
| Treasurer | Jack Renshaw | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Transport Minister for Highways | Peter Cox | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Attorney General | Frank Walker | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council Leader of the Government in Legislative Council | Paul Landa, MLC | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Industrial Relations | Paul Landa, MLC | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 9 August 1976 | 87 days |
| Minister for Industrial Relations | Pat Hills | Labor | 9 August 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 71 days |
| Minister for Mines Minister for Energy | Pat Hills | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development Minister for Primary Industries | Don Day | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Education | Eric Bedford | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Local Government | Harry Jensen | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Planning | Harry Jensen | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 9 August 1976 | 87 days |
| Minister for Lands | Bill Crabtree | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Environment | Bill Crabtree | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 9 August 1976 | 87 days |
| Minister for Planning and Environment | Paul Landa, MLC | Labor | 9 August 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 71 days |
| Minister for Health | Kevin Stewart | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Co-operative Societies | Syd Einfeld | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Justice | Ron Mulock | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Services | Ron Mulock | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 10 February 1977 | 272 days |
| Minister for Services | Bill Haigh | Labor | 10 February 1977 | 19 October 1978 | 1 year, 251 days |
| Minister for Sport and Recreation Minister for Tourism | Ken Booth | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Conservation Minister for Water Resources | Lin Gordon | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister for Youth and Community Services | Rex Jackson | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 19 October 1978 | 2 years, 158 days |
| Minister Assisting the Premier | Bill Haigh | Labor | 14 May 1976 | 10 February 1977 | 272 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.