# Stuart ministry

The Stuart ministry was the 20th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Sir Alexander Stuart. Stuart was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874.
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 in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion a poll was required for East Sydney where George Reid was easily re-elected and Newtown where Henry Copeland was narrowly defeated. Copeland was able to return to the assembly the following week due to a vacancy at East Sydney. The 6 other ministers, Sir Alexander Stuart (Illawarra), George Dibbs (St Leonards), Henry Cohen (West Maitland), James Farnell (New England), Francis Wright (Redfern) and Joseph Abbott (Gunnedah ), were re-elected unopposed. The minister subsequently appointed, William Trickett (Paddington) was also re-elected unopposed.
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. Reid was defeated in the resulting by-election in February 1884.
This ministry covers the period from 5 January 1883 until 6 October 1885. Suffering a paralytic stroke whilst in office, William Dalley was acting Premier from late 1884, with Dalley deciding to send a contingent of troops to the 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.

## Composition of ministry

| Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
| Premier Colonial Secretary | Sir Alexander Stuart | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Colonial Treasurer | George Dibbs | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Minister of Public Instruction | George Reid | 5 January 1883 | 6 March 1884 | 1 year, 61 days |
| Minister of Public Instruction | William Trickett | 2 May 1884 | 6 October 1885 | 1 year, 157 days |
| Minister of Justice | Henry Cohen | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Attorney General Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | William Dalley MLC | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Secretary for Lands | James Farnell | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Secretary for Public Works | Henry Copeland | 5 January 1883 | 28 March 1883 | 82 days |
| Secretary for Public Works | Francis Wright | 28 May 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 862 days |
| Postmaster-General | Francis Wright | 5 January 1883 | 27 May 1883 | 142 days |
| Postmaster-General | William Trickett | 28 May 1883 | 1 May 1884 | 339 days |
| Postmaster-General | James Norton MLC | 2 May 1884 | 6 October 1885 | 1 year, 157 days |
| Secretary for Mines | Joseph Abbott | 5 January 1883 | 6 October 1885 | 2 years, 274 days |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council | Sir Patrick Jennings | 5 January 1883 | 31 July 1883 | 207 days |
* 1 2 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 unless otherwise noted.