# Askin–Cutler ministry (1965–1968)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1965–1968) or First Askin ministry was the 62nd ministry of the government of New South Wales, and was led by the 32nd Premier, Bob Askin, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by Charles Cutler. The ministry was the first occasion in the history of government in New South Wales that the Liberal and Country Party formed a coalition in government. It was also the first 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.

## Composition of ministry

This ministry covers the period from 13 May 1965 until 5 March 1968, when Askin and Cutler led the Liberal/Country coalition to a second term at the 1968 state election, defeating Labor, again led by Jack Renshaw.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Bob Askin | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Education Minister for Science | Charles Cutler | Country | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry Chief Secretary Minister for Tourist Activities | Eric Willis | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare Advisory Minister for Transport Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | Arthur Bridges, MLC | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Bill Chaffey | Country | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Attorney General | Ken McCaw | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Pat Morton | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Public Works | Davis Hughes | Country | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Transport | Milton Morris | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Lands | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Mines | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 27 June 1967 | 2 years, 45 days |
| Minister for Mines | Wal Fife | Liberal | 27 June 1967 | 5 March 1968 | 252 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Jack Beale | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Stanley Stephens | Country | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister of Justice | John Maddison | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Minister for Health | Harry Jago | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 5 March 1968 | 2 years, 297 days |
| Assistant Minister for Education | Wal Fife | Liberal | 13 May 1965 | 27 June 1967 | 2 years, 45 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.