# Askin–Cutler ministry (1971–1973)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1971–1973) or Fourth Askin ministry was the 65th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 32nd Premier, Bob Askin, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by Charles Cutler. It was the fourth of six occasions when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.

## Background

Askin was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1975, representing variously the seats of Collaroy and Pittwater. Rising through the Liberal Party ranks, Askin served as Deputy Leader from 1954 until he was elected Leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Leader of the NSW Opposition, following the defeat of the Morton/Hughes–led coalition by Cahill's Labor at the 1959 election. Cutler was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1947 and served continuously up until 1975, representing the seat of Orange. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1958 and, like Askin, Cutler was elected as leader of his party following the 1959 state election, replacing Davis Hughes. The Askin–Cutler–led Liberal/Country coalition was defeated at the 1962 election by Labor's Bob Heffron. In April 1964 Jack Renshaw replaced Heffron as Leader of the Labor Party and became Premier. Twelve months later, Renshaw called an election held on 13 May 1965; however after 24 years of consecutive Labor governments, Askin and Cutler led the coalition to government at the 1965 state election.
The first Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from 1965 until the 1968 state election; when the coalition again won office. The second Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1968 election until 11 February 1969, when the ministry was reconfigured. The third Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1969 reconfiguration until the 1971 state election.

## Composition of ministry

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin on 11 March 1971. There was a re-suffle on 19 June 1972 when Pat Morton resigned from the ministry and from Parliament, with Cutler taking on his portfolios of local government and highways and consequent changes. Cutler's portfolio of science was abolished, the portfolio of tourism and sport was split, while the portfolio of power was established.
During the term of this ministry on 14 December 1971, Askin changed his name by Deed Poll from Robin William Askin to Robert William Askin and on 1 January 1972, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. The following year, on 1 January 1973, Charles Cutler was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
This ministry covers the period until 17 January 1973, when Askin and Cutler reconfigured the Liberal/Country ministry following the resignation of Davis Hughes in order to take up a posting as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Sir Robert Askin | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Deputy Premier | Sir Charles Cutler | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Science | Sir Charles Cutler | Country | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Minister for Education | Sir Charles Cutler | Country | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Minister for Education | Eric Willis | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Chief Secretary | Eric Willis | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Chief Secretary | Ian Griffith | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Tourism and Sport | Eric Willis | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Minister for Tourism | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Sport | Ian Griffith | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Public Works | Davis Hughes | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Attorney General | Ken McCaw QC | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Pat Morton | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Sir Charles Cutler | Country | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Transport | Milton Morris | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Lands | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Environmental Control | Jack Beale | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Geoff Crawford | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Stanley Stephens | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister of Justice | John Maddison | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Health | Harry Jago | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Mines | Wal Fife | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Power | Wal Fife | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Wal Fife | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Minister for Conservation | George Freudenstein | Country | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Assistant Treasurer | George Freudenstein | Country | 11 March 1971 | 19 June 1972 | 1 year, 100 days |
| Assistant Treasurer | Wal Fife | Liberal | 19 June 1972 | 17 January 1973 | 212 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry | Frederick Hewitt, MLC | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | John Waddy | Liberal | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
| Minister for Cultural Activities | George Freudenstein | Country | 11 March 1971 | 17 January 1973 | 1 year, 312 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.