| Cabinet Name: | Second Martin ministry |
| Cabinet Number: | 10th |
| Jurisdiction: | the Colony of New South Wales |
| Flag Border: | true |
| Image Size2: | x85px |
| Image Size3: | x85px |
| Government Head: | James Martin |
| State Head: | Queen Victoria |
| State Head Title: | Monarch |
| Governor: | Sir John Young / |
| Members Number: | 9 |
| Political Party: | unaligned |
| Legislature Status: | Minority government |
| Opposition Party: | unaligned |
| Previous: | Fourth Cowper ministry |
| Successor: | Second Robertson ministry |
The second Martin ministry was the tenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and second of three occasions of being led by James Martin QC.
Martin was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856. He came to power as Premier on the first occasion after he defeated Charles Cowper's government fell in October 1863. Martin was asked to form government on the second occasion, this time in coalition with his former rival, Henry Parkes, after Cowper again lost the confidence of the Assembly in December 1865.
The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.
There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.[1] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and each of James Martin (The Lachlan), Henry Parkes (Kiama), James Byrnes (Parramatta) and Geoffrey Eagar (West Sydney) were re-elected unopposed. A poll was required in Patrick's Plains (Bowie Wilson) and Yass Plains (Robert Isaacs) however both ministers were comfortably re-elected with more than 70% of the vote.[2]
This ministry covers the period from 22 January 1866 until 26 October 1868, when Martin resigned.
| Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Attorney-General | 22 January 1866 | 26 October 1868 | ||
| Colonial Secretary | 17 September 1868 | |||
| MLC | 28 September 1868 | 26 October 1868 | days | |
| Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | 22 January 1866 | |||
| Colonial Treasurer | ||||
| Secretary for Lands | ||||
| Secretary for Public Works | ||||
| Solicitor General | ||||
| Postmaster-General | MLC | 22 January 1866 | 27 September 1868 | |
| 29 September 1868 | 26 October 1868 | days |