# Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1968–1969) or Second Askin ministry was the 63rd 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. It was the second 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.

## Composition of ministry

This ministry covers the period from 5 March 1968 until 11 February 1969, when Askin and Cutler reconfigured the Liberal/Country ministry.
| Portfolio | Minister | Party | Term commence | Term end | Term of office |
| Premier Treasurer | Bob Askin | Liberal | 5 March 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 343 days |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Education Minister for Science | Charles Cutler | Country | 5 March 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 343 days |
| Minister for Labour and Industry Chief Secretary Minister for Tourist Activities | Eric Willis | Liberal | 5 March 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 343 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | Arthur Bridges, MLC | Liberal | 5 March 1968 | 22 May 1968 | 78 days |
| Advisory Minister for Transport | Arthur Bridges, MLC | Liberal | 5 March 1968 | 22 May 1968 | 78 days |
| Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | Arthur Bridges, MLC | Liberal | 5 March 1968 | 22 May 1968 | 78 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | Harry Jago | Liberal | 23 May 1968 | 3 September 1968 | 103 days |
| Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Social Welfare | Frederick Hewitt, MLC | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Vice-president of the Executive Council Representative of the Government in Legislative Council | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 10 July 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 216 days |
| Minister for Decentralisation and Development | John Fuller, MLC | Country | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Public Works | Davis Hughes | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Attorney General | Ken McCaw | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Local Government Minister for Highways | Pat Morton | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Transport | Milton Morris | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Lands | Tom Lewis | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Conservation | Jack Beale | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Agriculture | Geoff Crawford | Country | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Co-operative Societies | Stanley Stephens | Country | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister of Justice | John Maddison | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Health | Harry Jago | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
| Minister for Mines | Wal Fife | Liberal | 3 September 1968 | 11 February 1969 | 161 days |
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.