Morgans ministry
Encyclopedia
The Morgans Ministry was the fourth ministry of the Government of Western Australia
, led by Alf Morgans
of the Ministerialist faction. It succeeded the First Leake Ministry
on 21 November 1901, and was followed by the Second Leake Ministry
on 23 December 1901.
, whose result had been indecisive. The First Leake Ministry fell through a 24-22 vote of no confidence on 9 November. Leake advised the Governor
to dissolve Parliament, but the request was declined and on 12 November, Leake advised the Legislative Assembly
that as soon as the Supply Bill
had passed a third reading, his government would resign.
At first, Leader of the Opposition Frederick Henry Piesse
was asked to form a Ministry, but on 18 November he advised that he had been unable to form an acceptable Ministry, and Alf Morgans
was sent for. Three days later, the Morgans Ministry was sworn in by the Governor.
As was the law at the time, having accepted offices of profit under the Crown, the Ministers were required to resign their seats and contest them at ministerial by-elections. According to Brian de Garis (Stannage, p.348), Leake and his supporters set about "the best organised campaigning the state had ever witnessed" for the by-elections, and three of the ministers—Frank Wilson, Matthew Moss and Frederick Moorhead were defeated. Morgans, Quinlan and Nanson retained their seats.
This turn of events gave the Opposition a narrow majority with Independent or Labour support. As such, the Morgans Ministry resigned on 20 December 1901, and three days later, George Leake
formed a new ministry
which could maintain the confidence of the Assembly.
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...
, led by Alf Morgans
Alf Morgans
Alfred Edward Morgans was Premier of Western Australia for just 32 days, from 21 November to 23 December 1901.-Early life and career:...
of the Ministerialist faction. It succeeded the First Leake Ministry
First Leake ministry
The First Leake Ministry was the third Ministry of the Government of Western Australia and was led by Premier George Leake, who had hitherto been the Leader of the Opposition...
on 21 November 1901, and was followed by the Second Leake Ministry
Second Leake ministry
The Second Leake Ministry was the fifth Ministry of the Government of Western Australia and was led by Premier George Leake, who had hitherto been the Leader of the Opposition. It succeeded the Morgans Ministry on 23 December 1901 after a series of ministerial by-elections to confirm that ministry...
on 23 December 1901.
Overview
The Ministry came about in part due to the circumstances of the 1901 electionWestern Australian state election, 1901
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 24 April 1901 to elect 50 members to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly...
, whose result had been indecisive. The First Leake Ministry fell through a 24-22 vote of no confidence on 9 November. Leake advised the Governor
Governor of Western Australia
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;...
to dissolve Parliament, but the request was declined and on 12 November, Leake advised the Legislative Assembly
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
that as soon as the Supply Bill
Money bill
In the Westminster system , a money bill or supply bill is a bill that solely concerns taxation or government spending , as opposed to changes in public law.- Conventions :...
had passed a third reading, his government would resign.
At first, Leader of the Opposition Frederick Henry Piesse
Frederick Henry Piesse
Frederick Henry Piesse, CMG was a farmer, businessman and politician who is credited with much of the early development of the region around Katanning, Western Australia....
was asked to form a Ministry, but on 18 November he advised that he had been unable to form an acceptable Ministry, and Alf Morgans
Alf Morgans
Alfred Edward Morgans was Premier of Western Australia for just 32 days, from 21 November to 23 December 1901.-Early life and career:...
was sent for. Three days later, the Morgans Ministry was sworn in by the Governor.
As was the law at the time, having accepted offices of profit under the Crown, the Ministers were required to resign their seats and contest them at ministerial by-elections. According to Brian de Garis (Stannage, p.348), Leake and his supporters set about "the best organised campaigning the state had ever witnessed" for the by-elections, and three of the ministers—Frank Wilson, Matthew Moss and Frederick Moorhead were defeated. Morgans, Quinlan and Nanson retained their seats.
This turn of events gave the Opposition a narrow majority with Independent or Labour support. As such, the Morgans Ministry resigned on 20 December 1901, and three days later, George Leake
George Leake
George Leake CMG QC was Premier of Western Australia from 27 May 1901 to 21 November 1901, and again from 23 December 1901 until his death on 24 June 1902.-Early life:...
formed a new ministry
Second Leake ministry
The Second Leake Ministry was the fifth Ministry of the Government of Western Australia and was led by Premier George Leake, who had hitherto been the Leader of the Opposition. It succeeded the Morgans Ministry on 23 December 1901 after a series of ministerial by-elections to confirm that ministry...
which could maintain the confidence of the Assembly.
Members
The members of the Morgans 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... Colonial 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... |
Alf Morgans Alf Morgans Alfred Edward Morgans was Premier of Western Australia for just 32 days, from 21 November to 23 December 1901.-Early life and career:... |
| Attorney-General Attorney-General of Western Australia The Attorney-General of Western Australia is the member of the Government of Western Australia responsible for maintenance and improvement of Western Australia's system of law and justice. Before the advent of representative government in 1870, the title was Advocate-General of Western Australia... |
Frederick Moorhead |
| Minister for Works | Timothy Quinlan Timothy Quinlan Timothy Francis Quinlan, CMG was a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1890 to 1911, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from 1905 to 1911.... |
| Minister for Lands | John Nanson |
| Minister for Mines Commissioner of Railways |
Frank Wilson |
| Colonial Secretary Colonial Secretary of Western Australia The Colonial Secretary of Western Australia was one of the most important and powerful public offices in Western Australia, in the time when Western Australia was a British colony. The Colonial Secretary was the representative of the British Colonial Office in Western Australia, and was usually... |
Matthew Moss |