Robertson ministry (1885–1886)

The fifth Robertson ministry was the 22nd ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the Premier, Sir John Robertson. It was the fifth and final occasion that Robertson was Premier. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856.

Fifth Robertson ministry
22nd Cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales
Premier Sir John Robertson and the Colony of New South Wales (1863–1900)
Date formed	22 December 1885 (1885-12-22)
Date dissolved	25 February 1886 (1886-02-25)
People and organisations
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Governor	The Lord Carrington
Head of government	Sir John Robertson
No. of ministers	9
Member party	unaligned
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	unaligned
Opposition leader	Henry Parkes George Dibbs
History
Predecessor	First Dibbs ministry
Successor	Jennings ministry

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but was not a formal position in the government until 1920. Instead the Premier was appointed to another portfolio, usually Colonial Secretary.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887.^[1] Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.^[2] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion all of the ministers were re-elected unopposed.^[3] Louis Heydon resigned on 4 February 1886 because he disagreed with the suggested property tax,^[4][5] and was not replaced as Minister of Justice.^[6]

This ministry covers the period from 22 December 1885 until 25 February 1886, when Robertson's government faltered due to the destablishing influence of his old foe, Sir Henry Parkes.^[7] Robertson was succeeded as Premier by Sir Patrick Jennings, and retired from parliament in June 1886.^[8]

Composition of ministry

Portfolio	Minister	Term start	Term end	Term length
Premier Colonial Secretary	Sir John Robertson	22 December 1885	25 February 1886	65 days
Colonial Treasurer	John Burns
Minister of Public Instruction	James Young
Minister of Justice	Louis Heydon		4 February 1886	44 days
Attorney General Representative of the Government in Legislative Council	George Simpson MLC		25 February 1886	65 days
Secretary for Lands	Gerald Spring
Secretary for Public Works	Jacob Garrard
Postmaster-General	Daniel O'Connor
Secretary for Mines	Robert Vaughn

Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

See also

• New South Wales portal
• Politics portal

• • Members of Parliament
  • 1885–1887 Legislative Assembly
  • Legislative Council
• • Robertson ministries
  • First (1860–1861)
  • Second (1868–1870)
  • Third (1875–77)
  • Fourth (1877)