Court-McPharlin Ministry
Encyclopedia
The Court-McPharlin Ministry was the 26th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia
, and was led by Liberal
Premier Sir Charles Court
and his deputy, National Country Party
leader Ray McPharlin
. It succeeded the Tonkin ministry
on 8 April 1974, following the defeat of the Labor
government at the 1974 election
nine days earlier. The Ministry collapsed when McPharlin led the National Country Party out of the Coalition on 20 May 1975, and was reconstituted on 5 June 1975 as the Court Ministry
.
, going to the voters as the "National Alliance" which put forward a centrist platform—however, they lost both votes and seats in doing so, when compared with the two parties' performance at the 1971 election
.
In order to form a parliamentary majority, the National Country Party under its new leader, Ray McPharlin
, agreed to form a coalition with the Liberals after the election, and negotiated three seats in the Ministry. However, relations between the two parties were not smooth—the reduced position of the party vis-a-vis the Liberals had led to public discussions that it needed an identity distinct from the Liberals in order to survive.
Ultimately, tensions over rural and education issues and, ultimately, milk quotas for dairy producers led to a split, and on 20 May 1975, National Country Party leader Ray McPharlin
had led the party (and its three Ministers) out of the Coalition. In the negotiations which followed, which included, among others, Federal Country Party leader Doug Anthony
and Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
, McPharlin was replaced as leader by Dick Old and the Coalition was resumed on 31 May; however, Court insisted he was too inexperienced to be Deputy Premier, and from this point until the Liberals' defeat in 1983, while the Coalition was maintained between the two parties, the Liberal Party got to name both leading positions in the Ministry.
, constituted the Ministry. He designated 12 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the end of the Ministry on 5 June 1975.
On 20 May 1975, the three Country members of the Ministry resigned. Four existing Ministers assumed the portfolios in an acting capacity while negotiations continued: Des O'Neil and Alan Ridge divided Ray McPharlin
's duties, whilst Neil McNeill
acted for Matt Stephens
and Graham MacKinnon acted for Norm Baxter.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party. The members of the Ministry were:
Government of Western Australia
The formation of the Government of Western Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1890, although it has been amended many times since then...
, and was led by Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
Premier Sir Charles Court
Charles Court
Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, was a Western Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia and member for the seat of Nedlands for the Liberal Party for nearly 30 years.-Early life:...
and his deputy, National Country Party
National Party of Western Australia
The National Party of Western Australia is a political party in Western Australia. It is affiliated with the National Party of Australia but maintains a separate structure and identity....
leader Ray McPharlin
Ray McPharlin
Walter Raymond "Ray" McPharlin was the Country Party member for Mount Marshall in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1983....
. It succeeded the Tonkin ministry
Tonkin Ministry (Western Australia)
The Tonkin Ministry was the 25th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Labor Premier John Tonkin and deputy Herb Graham . It commenced on 3 March 1971, eleven days after the Brand-Nalder Ministry, led by Premier David Brand of the Liberal Party, was defeated at the 1971 election...
on 8 April 1974, following the defeat of the Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
government at the 1974 election
Western Australian state election, 1974
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 30 March 1974 to elect all 51 members to the Legislative Assembly and 15 members to the 30-seat Legislative Council...
nine days earlier. The Ministry collapsed when McPharlin led the National Country Party out of the Coalition on 20 May 1975, and was reconstituted on 5 June 1975 as the Court Ministry
Court Ministry
The Court Ministry was the 27th Ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Liberal Premier Sir Charles Court and deputy Des O'Neil . It commenced on 5 June 1975, following the Court-McPharlin Ministry, 15 months after the Coalition's electoral defeat of the Tonkin Labor government...
.
Overview
Prior to the election, the Country Party had tentatively merged with the Democratic Labor PartyDemocratic Labor Party (historical)
The Democratic Labor Party was an Australian political party that existed from 1955 until 1978.-History:The DLP was formed as a result of a split in the Australian Labor Party that began in 1954. The split was between the party's national leadership, under the then party leader Dr H.V...
, going to the voters as the "National Alliance" which put forward a centrist platform—however, they lost both votes and seats in doing so, when compared with the two parties' performance at the 1971 election
Western Australian state election, 1971
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 20 February 1971 to elect all 51 members to the Legislative Assembly and 15 members to the 30-seat Legislative Council...
.
In order to form a parliamentary majority, the National Country Party under its new leader, Ray McPharlin
Ray McPharlin
Walter Raymond "Ray" McPharlin was the Country Party member for Mount Marshall in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1983....
, agreed to form a coalition with the Liberals after the election, and negotiated three seats in the Ministry. However, relations between the two parties were not smooth—the reduced position of the party vis-a-vis the Liberals had led to public discussions that it needed an identity distinct from the Liberals in order to survive.
Ultimately, tensions over rural and education issues and, ultimately, milk quotas for dairy producers led to a split, and on 20 May 1975, National Country Party leader Ray McPharlin
Ray McPharlin
Walter Raymond "Ray" McPharlin was the Country Party member for Mount Marshall in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1983....
had led the party (and its three Ministers) out of the Coalition. In the negotiations which followed, which included, among others, Federal Country Party leader Doug Anthony
Doug Anthony
John Douglas Anthony, AC, CH , is a former Australian politician. He was leader of the National Party from 1971 to 1984, and Deputy Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972 and again from 1975 to 1983.-Early life:...
and Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Joh Bjelke-Petersen
Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG , was an Australian politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, a period that saw considerable economic development in the state...
, McPharlin was replaced as leader by Dick Old and the Coalition was resumed on 31 May; however, Court insisted he was too inexperienced to be Deputy Premier, and from this point until the Liberals' defeat in 1983, while the Coalition was maintained between the two parties, the Liberal Party got to name both leading positions in the Ministry.
The Ministry
On 8 April 1974, the Governor, Air Commodore Sir Hughie EdwardsHughie Edwards
Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, Governor of Western Australia, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the...
, constituted the Ministry. He designated 12 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the end of the Ministry on 5 June 1975.
On 20 May 1975, the three Country members of the Ministry resigned. Four existing Ministers assumed the portfolios in an acting capacity while negotiations continued: Des O'Neil and Alan Ridge divided Ray McPharlin
Ray McPharlin
Walter Raymond "Ray" McPharlin was the Country Party member for Mount Marshall in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1983....
's duties, whilst Neil McNeill
Neil McNeill
Neil McNeill was an Australian politician. Born in Yarloop, Western Australia, he was educated at Scotch College, Perth, and the University of Western Australia, after which he became a farmer. He served in the military in 1945, and returned to become a district officer with the Western Australian...
acted for Matt Stephens
Matt Stephens (politician)
Matthew Ernest "Matt" Stephens is a former Western Australian politician. He represented Stirling in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the Country Party from 1971 to 1989. He was Minister for Conservation and Environment and Minister for Fisheries and Forestries from 1974 to...
and Graham MacKinnon acted for Norm Baxter.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party. The members of the Ministry were:
| Office | Minister |
|---|---|
Premier Premier of Western Australia The Premier of Western Australia is the head of the executive government in the Australian State of Western Australia. The Premier has similar functions in Western Australia to those performed by the Prime Minister of Australia at the national level, subject to the different Constitutions... and Treasurer Treasurer of Western Australia The Treasurer of the State of Western Australia is the title held by the Cabinet Minister who is responsible for the management of Western Australia's public sector finances, and for preparing and delivering the annual State Budget... Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development |
Sir Charles Court Charles Court Sir Charles Walter Michael Court, was a Western Australian politician, 21st Premier of Western Australia and member for the seat of Nedlands for the Liberal Party for nearly 30 years.-Early life:... , OBE Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... , Dip.Acctg., FCA, FICS, FASA, MLA |
Deputy Premier Deputy Premier of Western Australia The Deputy Premier of Western Australia is a role in the Government of Western Australia assigned to a responsible Minister in the Australian state of Western Australia. It has second ranking behind the Premier of Western Australia in Cabinet, and its holder serves as Acting Premier during absence... Minister for Agriculture |
Ray McPharlin Ray McPharlin Walter Raymond "Ray" McPharlin was the Country Party member for Mount Marshall in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1967 to 1983.... , MLA (until 20 May 1975) |
Minister for Works Minister for Water Supplies Minister for Housing Deputy Premier Deputy Premier of Western Australia The Deputy Premier of Western Australia is a role in the Government of Western Australia assigned to a responsible Minister in the Australian state of Western Australia. It has second ranking behind the Premier of Western Australia in Cabinet, and its holder serves as Acting Premier during absence... (Acting, from 20 May 1975) |
Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLA |
Minister for Justice Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (Acting, from 20 May 1975:)
|
Neil McNeill Neil McNeill Neil McNeill was an Australian politician. Born in Yarloop, Western Australia, he was educated at Scotch College, Perth, and the University of Western Australia, after which he became a farmer. He served in the military in 1945, and returned to become a district officer with the Western Australian... , BSc (Agric), MLC |
|
Minister for Transport Minister for Police Minister for Traffic Minister for Traffic Safety (from 1 May 1974) |
Ray O'Connor Ray O'Connor Raymond James "Ray" O'Connor was the 22nd Premier of Western Australia.-Pre-political life:He was born in Perth and attended schools in towns of Narrogin and York, and St Patrick's Boys' School in Perth... , MLA |
Minister for Education Minister for Education (Western Australia) The Minister for Education of Western Australia is the member of the Government of Western Australia responsible for maintenance and improvement of Western Australia's system of education, and is answerable to the Parliament for all actions taken by the Department of Education and Training under... Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation (Acting, from 20 May 1975:)
|
Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLC |
|
Chief Secretary Minister for Conservation and Environment Minister for Fisheries and Fauna |
Matt Stephens Matt Stephens (politician) Matthew Ernest "Matt" Stephens is a former Western Australian politician. He represented Stirling in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the Country Party from 1971 to 1989. He was Minister for Conservation and Environment and Minister for Fisheries and Forestries from 1974 to... , DipEd, MLA (until 20 May 1975) |
Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration Minister for Tourism |
Bill Grayden Bill Grayden William Leonard "Bill" Grayden AM was an Australian politician. Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at state schools and then at Perth Technical College, becoming a mechanical engineer. He served in the military from 1940-1946... , MLA |
Minister for Industrial Development Minister for Mines Minister for Electricity (from 1 May 1974) Minister for Fuel and Energy |
Andrew Mensaros Andrew Mensaros Andrew Mensaros, , was a politician in Western Australia. Born in Hungary, and educated at the University of Budapest. A member of the Liberal Party of Australia, he served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for the division of Floreat from 1968 until his death in 1991... , MLA |
Minister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning |
Cyril Rushton, MLA |
Minister for Lands Minister for Forests Minister for the North-West Minister for Agriculture (Acting, from 20 May 1975) |
Alan Ridge, MLA |
Minister for Health Minister for Community Welfare |
Norm Baxter, MLC (until 20 May 1975) |