# Heffron ministry (1959–1962)

The Heffron ministry (1959–1962) or First Heffron ministry was the 59th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 30th Premier, Bob Heffron, of the Labor Party. The ministry was the first of two consecutive occasions when the Government was led by Heffron, as Premier.
Heffron was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1930 and served continuously until 1968, representing the seats of Botany and Maroubra. Having served continuously as Minister for Emergency Services in the first McKell ministry, and Minister for Education in the second McKell ministry, and in the first, second, and third ministries of Jim McGirr, and then the first, second, third and fourth ministries of Joseph Cahill. Heffron served as Deputy Premier to Cahill between 1953 and 1959 until Cahill died in office on 22 October 1959. The following day, Heffron was elected as Labor Leader and became Premier, retaining Cahill's ministry intact. He had been narrowly been defeated in by McGirr in the leadership ballot in 1947. Issues during this ministry were the appointment of H. V. Evatt as Chief Justice of New South Wales, an appointment that was widely seen as a means of giving him a dignified exit from politics. Reg Downing, the Attorney General, refused to move the nomination in cabinet and the nomination was narrowly passed, 8 to 6. The ministry also proposed to abolish the Legislative Council of New South Wales, however the 1961 referendum was rejected, with only 42.4% support.
This ministry covers the period from 28 October 1959 until 14 March 1962, when Heffron led Labor to victory at the 1962 state election.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Heffron following his appointment as Premier on 23 October 1959, and covers the period until 14 March 1962, when the 1962 state election was held.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier | Bob Heffron | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister of Education | Bob Heffron | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 31 May 1960 | 216 days |
| Minister of Education | Ernest Wetherell | Labor | 31 May 1960 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 287 days |
| Deputy Premier Treasurer | Jack Renshaw | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Attorney General Vice-President of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | Reg Downing, MLC | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister of Justice | Reg Downing, MLC | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 31 May 1960 | 216 days |
| Minister of Justice | Jack Mannix | Labor | 31 May 1960 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 287 days |
| Chief Secretary Minister for Tourist Activities | Gus Kelly | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Pat Hills | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Health | Bill Sheahan | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | Frank Hawkins | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Transport | George Enticknap | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 31 May 1960 | 216 days |
| Minister for Transport | John McMahon | Labor | 31 May 1960 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 287 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Abe Landa | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Ernest Wetherell | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 31 May 1960 | 216 days |
| Minister for Conservation | George Enticknap | Labor | 31 May 1960 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 287 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Roger Nott | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 3 March 1961 | 1 year, 126 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Jack Renshaw | Labor | 3 March 1961 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 11 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry | Jim Maloney, MLC | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Mines | Jim Simpson | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Minister for Lands | John McMahon | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 31 May 1960 | 216 days |
| Minister for Lands | Jack Renshaw | Labor | 31 May 1960 | 3 March 1961 | 276 days |
| Minister for Lands | Keith Compton | Labor | 3 March 1961 | 14 March 1962 | 1 year, 11 days |
| Minister for Public Works | Norm Ryan | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
| Assistant Minister | Jack Mannix | Labor | 28 October 1959 | 14 March 1962 | 2 years, 137 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.