Morgan ministry explained

The Morgan Ministry was the 22nd ministry of the Government of Queensland and was led by Premier Arthur Morgan, who led a Liberal–Labour coalition.

It succeeded the First Philp Ministry on 17 September 1903 after Robert Philp's resignation following the defection of several Ministerialists on a key vote. Labour leader William Browne failed to form a ministry, and advised the Governor to send for the Speaker, Arthur Morgan. Morgan, who became leader of the Liberal faction in the Assembly, formed a coalition ministry containing two Labour members, Browne and William Kidston. Browne died on 12 April 1904 and was replaced in the Ministry by another Labour member, Peter Airey.

The Ministry was succeeded by the First Kidston ministry on 19 January 1906 after Morgan was appointed President of the Queensland Legislative Council.

The Ministry

On 17 September 1903, the Governor, Herbert Chermside, designated eight principal executive offices of the Government, and appointed the following Members of the Parliament of Queensland to the Ministry as follows.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Chief Secretary
Secretary for Railways
Arthur Morgan
Deputy Premier
Secretary for Public Instruction
Government Representative in the Legislative Council
Andrew Henry Barlow, MLC
Secretary for Mines
Secretary for Public Works
William Browne
(until 12 April 1904)
TreasurerWilliam Kidston
Secretary for Public LandsJoshua Thomas Bell
Attorney-General
Secretary for Mines (from 27 April 1904)
James Blair
Secretary for Agriculture
Home Secretary
Secretary for Public Works (from 27 April 1904)
Digby Denham
Minister without portfolioThomas O'Sullivan
Home SecretaryPeter Airey (from 27 April 1904)

References

. Colin Hughes. Graham, B. D.. A handbook of Australian government and politics, 1890-1964. 1968. Australian National University. Canberra. 0-7081-0270-0. 172.