# Parkes ministry (1872–1875)

The first Parkes ministry was the fourteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and the first of five occasions of being led by Henry Parkes.
Having served in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1854 and 1856, Parkes was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856, however resigned from Parliament later that year. He served in the Assembly on several occasions, between 1858 and 1870, being forced to resign on 4 occasions due to his personal insolvency. He came to power as Premier on the first occasion after the Sir James Martin ministry had involved itself in a petty squabble with the colony of Victoria over a question of border duties. The acting-governor had sent for William Forster before parliament met, but he was unable to form a ministry, and in May 1872 Parkes formed his first ministry.
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. A poll was required for East Sydney (Henry Parkes) and Newcastle (George Lloyd), both of whom were comfortably re-elected. The five other ministers, Edward Butler (Argyle), James Farnell (Parramatta), Joseph Innes (Mudgee), William Piddington (The Hawkesbury) and John Sutherland (Paddington), were re-elected unopposed. Polls were subsequently required on the appointment of George Allen (Glebe) and Robert Abbott (Tenterfield) but each were comfortably re-elected.
The ministry created two new ministerial roles, Minister of Justice and Public Instruction in 1873 and the Secretary for Mines in 1874. The office of Solicitor General became dormant in 1873 when the Attorney General, Edward Butler. resigned and Solicitor General Joseph Innes was appointed Attorney General.
This ministry covers the period from 14 May 1872 until 8 February 1875, when Parkes lost the confidence of the Assembly following Governor Robinson's decision to release the bushranger Frank Gardiner, resulting in the defeat of the ministry.

## Composition of ministry

| Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
| Premier Colonial Secretary | Henry Parkes | 14 May 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 270 days |
| Colonial Treasurer | William Piddington | 14 May 1872 | 4 December 1872 | 204 days |
| Colonial Treasurer | George Lloyd | 5 December 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 65 days |
| Secretary for Lands | James Farnell | 14 May 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 270 days |
| Secretary for Mines | James Farnell | 9 May 1874 | 26 July 1874 | 78 days |
| Secretary for Mines | Robert Abbott | 27 July 1874 | 8 February 1875 | 196 days |
| Secretary for Public Works | John Sutherland | 15 May 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 269 days |
| Attorney General | Edward Butler | 15 May 1872 | 10 November 1873 | 1 year, 179 days |
| Attorney General | Sir Joseph Innes MLA / MLC | 20 November 1873 | 8 February 1875 | 1 year, 80 days |
| Solicitor General | Sir Joseph Innes MLA / MLC | 14 May 1872 | 19 November 1873 | 1 year, 189 days |
| Minister of Justice and Public Instruction | George Allen | 9 December 1873 | 8 February 1875 | 1 year, 61 days |
| Postmaster-General | George Lloyd | 14 May 1872 | 4 December 1872 | 204 days |
| Postmaster-General | Saul Samuel MLC | 3 December 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 67 days |
| Vice-President of the Executive Council | Saul Samuel MLC | 14 May 1872 | 8 February 1875 | 2 years, 270 days |
| Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | Saul Samuel MLC | 14 May 1872 | 13 September 1873 | 1 year, 122 days |
| Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | Sir Joseph Innes MLC | 13 September 1873 | 8 February 1875 | 1 year, 148 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.
* ↑ Without salary as Secretary for Mines.
* ↑ Joseph Innes resigned from his seat of Mudgee to accept appointment to the Legislative Council on 9 September 1873. He did not have a seat in Cabinet from 9 December 1873.