# Cahill ministry (1956–1959)

The Cahill ministry (1956–1959) or Third Cahill ministry was the 57th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 29th Premier, Joe Cahill, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the third of four consecutive occasions when the Government was led by Cahill, as Premier.
Cahill was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1925 and served until 1932, representing the seats of St George and Arncliffe before being defeated. He was re-elected in 1935, again representing Arncliffe, and then represented Cook's River between 1941 and 1959. Having served continuously as Secretary for Public Works in the first, second, and third ministries of Jim McGirr, when Deputy Premier Jack Baddeley resigned, Cahill was appointed as McGirr's deputy on 21 September 1949. McGirr resigned as Premier several years later, on 2 April 1952, and Cahill was elected as Labor Leader and became Premier. Cahill led Labor to victory at the 1953 state election, gaining 11 seats and regaining its majority. The 1956 state election was a clear victory for Labor despite a net loss of 7 seats. The only minister from the second Cahill ministry not to be retained was Maurice O'Sullivan, while Jim Simpson was promoted to the ministry without a portfolio. There were significant changes to the distribution of portfolios, with only four ministers retaining their portfolios from the second Cahill ministry.
This ministry covers the period from 15 March 1956 when Cahill won the 1956 state election, until 1 April 1959, when Cahill led Labor to victory at the 1959 state election and the Fourth Cahill ministry was formed.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of this arrangement of the ministry was announced by Cahill on 15 March 1956 following the 1956 state election and covers the period until 1 April 1959, when the 1959 state election was held. There was a minor rearrangement of the ministry in November 1957, triggered by the death of Eddie Graham, the Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Food Production.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Joe Cahill | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister of Education | Bob Heffron | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Attorney General Minister for Justice Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | Reg Downing, MLC | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Chief Secretary Minister for Immigration Minister for Co-operative Societies | Gus Kelly | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Agriculture Minister for Food Production | Eddie Graham | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 13 November 1957 | 1 year, 243 days |
| Minister for Agriculture Minister for Food Production | Roger Nott | Labor | 14 November 1957 | 1 April 1959 | 1 year, 138 days |
| Minister for Health | Bill Sheahan | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | Frank Hawkins | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Jack Renshaw | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Transport | George Enticknap | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Housing | Abe Landa | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Secretary for Public Works | John McGrath | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Ernest Wetherell | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Secretary for Lands | Roger Nott | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 22 November 1957 | 1 year, 252 days |
| Secretary for Lands | William Gollan | Labor | 22 November 1957 | 1 April 1959 | 1 year, 130 days |
| Secretary for Mines | Roger Nott | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 22 November 1957 | 1 year, 252 days |
| Secretary for Mines | Jim Simpson | Labor | 22 November 1957 | 1 April 1959 | 1 year, 130 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry | Jim Maloney, MLC | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 1 April 1959 | 3 years, 17 days |
| Minister without portfolio | William Gollan | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 22 November 1957 | 1 year, 252 days |
| Minister without portfolio | Jim Simpson | Labor | 15 March 1956 | 22 November 1957 | 1 year, 252 days |
| Minister without portfolio | John McMahon | Labor | 22 November 1957 | 1 April 1959 | 1 year, 130 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.