The Hawke ministry was the 22nd ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Labor Premier Albert Hawke and deputy John Tonkin. It commenced on 23 February 1953, nine days after the McLarty–Watts Ministry, led by Premier Ross McLarty of the Liberal Party, was defeated at the 1953 election. The ministry was followed by the Brand–Watts Ministry on 2 April 1959 after the Labor Party lost government at the state election held on 21 March.
On 23 February 1953, the Governor, Sir Charles Gairdner, constituted the ministry. He designated 10 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the reconstitution of the Ministry following the 1956 state election.[1]
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. The members of the ministry were:
| Office | Minister | |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Treasurer Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Industrial Development (until 13 May 1954) | Albert Hawke, MLA | |
| Deputy Premier (from 7 December 1955) Minister for Education (until 13 May 1954) Minister for Works Minister for Water Supplies | John Tonkin, Dip.Tchg., FAIA, MLA | |
| Minister for Education (from 13 May 1954) Minister for Labour Minister for Native Welfare Minister for Prices (until 13 May 1954) | Bill Hegney, MLA | |
| Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Chief Secretary Minister for Local Government and Town Planning | Gilbert Fraser, MLC | |
| Minister for Lands Minister for Agriculture | Ernest Hoar, MLA | |
| Minister for Railways Minister for Transport Minister for Police | Herbert Styants, MLA | |
| Minister for Health Minister for Justice | Emil Nulsen, MLA | |
| Minister for Housing Minister for Forests | Herb Graham, MLA | |
| Minister for Mines Minister for Tourism Minister for Fisheries Minister for Industrial Development (from 13 May 1954) | Lionel Kelly, MLA | |
| Minister for the North-West Minister for Supply and Shipping | Harry Strickland, MLC |
On 20 April 1956, the Governor, Sir Charles Gairdner, reconstituted the ministry. He designated 10 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following ministers to their positions, who served until the end of the ministry.[2] During the term, Ernest Hoar was appointed Agent-General for Western Australia in London, and Gilbert Fraser died on 1 November 1958.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. The members of the ministry were:
| Office | Minister | |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Treasurer Minister for Child Welfare Minister for Industrial Development (19 December 1957 – 13 November 1958) | Albert Hawke, MLA | |
| Deputy Premier Minister for Works Minister for Water Supplies | John Tonkin, Dip.Tchg., FAIA, MLA | |
| Minister for Transport Minister for Housing Minister for Forests | Herb Graham, MLA | |
| Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Chief Secretary Minister for Local Government and Town Planning | Gilbert Fraser, MLC (until 1 November 1958) | |
| Minister for Lands Minister for Agriculture | Ernest Hoar, MLA (until 17 December 1957) | |
| Minister for Health Minister for Justice | Emil Nulsen, MLA | |
| Minister for Education Minister for Labour | Bill Hegney, MLA | |
| Minister for Fisheries (until 19 December 1957:) Minister for Industrial Development (from 19 December 1957:) | Lionel Kelly, MLA | |
| Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (from 13 November 1958) Minister for Railways Minister for the North-West Minister for Supply and Shipping | Harry Strickland, MLC | |
| Minister for Police Minister for Native Welfare | John Brady, MLA | |
| Minister for Mines Chief Secretary (from 13 November 1958) | Arthur Moir, MLA (from 19 December 1957) | |
| Minister for Industrial Development Minister for Local Government and Town Planning | Frank Wise, MLC (from 13 November 1958) |