Dibbs ministry (1889) explained

Cabinet Name:Second Dibbs ministry
Cabinet Number:25th
Jurisdiction:the Colony of New South Wales
Flag Border:true
Image Size2:x85px
Image Size3:x85px
Government Head:George Dibbs
Government Head Title:Premier
State Head:Queen Victoria
State Head Title:Monarch
Governor:The Lord Carrington
Members Number:10
Political Party:unaligned
Legislature Status:Minority government
Opposition Party:Free Trade Party
Opposition Leader:Henry Parkes
Previous:Fourth Parkes ministry
Successor:Fifth Parkes ministry

The second Dibbs ministry was the 25th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was the second of three occasions of being led by the tenth Premier, George Dibbs. Dibbs was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874.In a period of great financial stress for the Colony, this ministry covers just 49 days from 17 January 1889 until 7 March 1889. Dibbs took over as Premier on the first occasion in October 1885 following resignation of the Alexander Stuart due to ill-health, with his ministry lasting for 75 days. Dibbs served as Colonial Secretary in the Jennings ministry, before it too suffered budgetary pressures. It was during this time that the party system was formed in New South Wales with Sir Henry Parkes leading the Free Trade Party. Dibbs had been elected as an independent free trader, however his opposition to Parkes caused Dibbs to align himself with the Protectionist Party.[1] Dibbs had assumed office when Parkes lost a vote on the floor of the Assembly. Parliament was dissolved on 19 January 1889 and an election was held in February. There was a significant swing to the Protectionists, gaining 29 seats,[2] however it was insufficient to command a majority of the Legislative Assembly and Parkes resumed the premiership.

Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in an election when appointed.[3] On this occasion however no by-elections were required as the ministers had all been appointed prior to the general election.[4]

Composition of ministry

PortfolioMinisterPartyTerm startTerm endTerm length
Premier
Colonial Secretary
 17 January 18897 March 1889 days
Colonial Treasurer
Attorney General
Representative of the Government in Legislative Council
MLC
Secretary for Lands
Secretary for Public Works
Minister of Justice
Minister of Public Instruction MLC
Secretary for Mines
Postmaster-General
Vice-President of the Executive Council MLC

Ministers were members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

References

 

Notes and References

  1. Sir George Richard Dibbs (1834–1904) . 680 . Yes . 21 May 2019.
  2. 1889 election totals . 1889 . Totals . 20 September 2019.
  3. Book: Anne . Twomey . Anne Twomey (academic) . The Constitution of New South Wales . 2004 . Federation Press . 9781862875166 . 442 . 2020-11-24.
  4. By-elections 1889-91 . 1889 . ByElections . 2021-06-27.