# McKell ministry (1944–1947)

The McKell ministry (1944–1947) or Second McKell ministry was the 51st ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 27th Premier, William McKell, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the second of two occasions when the Government was led by McKell, as Premier.
McKell was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1917 and served continuously until 1947, when he resigned to become the 12th Governor-General of Australia. Having served as a junior minister in the first and third ministries of Jack Lang, during the 1930s McKell came to oppose Lang's dictatorial rule and critical of electoral failures. In 1939 McKell displaced Lang as Labor leader and NSW Leader of the Opposition. McKell led Labor to victory at the 1941 state election, defeating the United Australia Party / Country Party coalition of Alexander Mair and Michael Bruxner. McKell and his government were re-elected for a subsequent term at the 1944 state election.
This ministry covers the period from 8 June 1944 until 6 February 1947 when McKell resigned to become Governor-General of Australia. McKell was succeeded by Jim McGirr.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McKell on 8 June 1944. There was a minor reshuffle in May 1946 following the appointment of Jack Tully as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | William McKell | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Deputy Premier Chief Secretary Secretary for Mines Minister for National Emergency Services | Jack Baddeley | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister for Education | Bob Heffron | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Attorney–General | Clarrie Martin, KC | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Bill Dunn | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 9 May 1946 | 1 year, 335 days |
| Minister for Conservation | George Weir | Labor | 9 May 1946 | 6 February 1947 | 273 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry and Social Services | Hamilton Knight | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister of Justice Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | Reg Downing, MLC | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Secretary for Public Works Minister for Local Government | Joseph Cahill | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister for Health | Gus Kelly | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister for Housing | Jim McGirr | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Secretary for Lands | Jack Tully | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 9 May 1946 | 1 year, 335 days |
| Secretary for Lands | Bill Dunn | Labor | 9 May 1946 | 6 February 1947 | 273 days |
| Minister for Transport | Maurice O'Sullivan | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Eddie Graham | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Minister in Charge of Tourist Activities and Immigration | Clive Evatt | Labor | 9 May 1946 | 6 February 1947 | 273 days |
| Assistant Minister | Clive Evatt | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 9 May 1946 | 1 year, 335 days |
| Assistant Minister | William Dickson, MLC | Labor | 8 June 1944 | 6 February 1947 | 2 years, 243 days |
| Assistant Minister | George Weir | Labor | 25 February 1946 | 9 May 1946 | 73 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Retained portfolios from First McKell ministry.
* ↑ Retained portfolios of Deputy Premier, Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mines from First McKell ministry.
* ↑ Retained portfolio of Secretary for Public Works from first McKell ministry
* ↑ Resigned to accept appointment as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.