# Willis–Punch ministry

The Willis–Punch ministry or Willis ministry was the 70th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 34th Premier of New South Wales, Sir Eric Willis in a Liberal Party coalition with the Country Party of Australia, that was led by Leon Punch.

## Background

Willis joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Australia in 1945, after hearing a speech by Sir Robert Menzies. After unsuccessfully seeking election to the Australian House of Representatives, Willis was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1978, representing the seat of Earlwood, in the inner southwestern suburbs of Sydney. Upon Sir Robert Askin's retirement in January 1975, Willis was seen as the favourite to take the premiership. However, despite Askin's initial support, Willis refused his help, preferring to gain the leadership on his own merits. Askin then put his support behind the Minister for Lands, Tom Lewis. Willis, sure he had support, refused to campaign, and the party put its support behind Lewis, leading to his election to Premier. Willis was then replaced as Deputy by John Maddison. For Willis' service as Deputy Leader he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 14 June 1975. Lewis was Premier for only one year and looked increasingly likely to lead the state Liberals to defeat. At the party room meeting on 20 January 1976, parliamentary backbencher Neil Pickard called a spill motion. This was carried 22 votes to 11 and Willis was made Leader unopposed.
Punch was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1959 and served continuously up until 1985, representing variously the seats of Upper Hunter (1959-1962) and then Gloucester (1962-1985). Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1973, Punch was elected as leader of his party following the retirement and resignation of the Sir Charles Cutler in December 1975.

## Composition of ministry

The ministry was sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor Sir Laurence Street on 23 January 1976, a few days after Willis deposed Tom Lewis in a spill motion for the leadership of the parliamentary branch of the Liberal Party in New South Wales. It ended on 14 May 1976 when the coalition was defeated at the 1976 election by the Labor Party and the First Wran ministry was sworn in.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Sir Eric Willis | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Public Works Minister for Ports | Leon Punch | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Attorney General Minister for Justice | John Maddison | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Planning and Environment Vice-President of the Executive Council Leader of the Government in Legislative Council | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Transport Minister for Highways | Tim Bruxner | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Federal Affairs Minister for Consumer Affairs | Frederick Hewitt, MLC | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Health | Dick Healey | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Local Government | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development | Milton Morris | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Mines Minister for Energy | George Freudenstein | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Chief Secretary | Peter Coleman | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Education | Neil Pickard | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Agriculture Minister for Water Resources | Bruce Cowan | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Assistant Treasurer Minister for Revenue | Max Ruddock | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Ian Griffith | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Lands Minister for Forests | Col Fisher | Country | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Youth, Ethnic and Community Affairs | Jim Clough | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
| Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation Minister for Tourism | David Arblaster | Liberal | 23 January 1976 | 14 May 1976 | 112 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.