The Court ministry was the 27th ministry of the Government of Western Australia, led by Liberal Premier Sir Charles Court and deputy Des O'Neil (Ray O'Connor replaced O'Neil following his retirement in 1980). It commenced on 5 June 1975, following the Court–McPharlin Ministry, 15 months after the Coalition's electoral defeat of the Tonkin Labor government. It was followed by the O'Connor Ministry upon Court's retirement as Premier on 25 January 1982.
Overview On 20 May 1975, the National Country Party (NCP), led by Ray McPharlin, withdrew from the Coalition. At the time, three Ministers had been members of the NCP. In the ensuing negotiations which included visits from Federal Country Party leader Doug Anthony and Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Dick Old replaced McPharlin as state party leader. The Coalition recommenced on 31 May. Court felt that Old had insufficient experience to become Deputy Premier, so while the Government was based on a Liberal-NCP coalition until its defeat by Labor in 1983, both the Premier and Deputy positions were held by members of the parliamentary Liberal Party.
The Ministry was reconstituted three times – first on 10 March 1977, following the 1977 election; on 25 August 1978 after a portfolio reshuffle; and finally on 5 March 1980 following the 1980 election.
The 1977 election, which expanded the Legislative Assembly from 51 to 55 members, saw the Liberal Party gain four seats and come within one seat of being able to govern in their own right. The NCP made the abolition of probate on estates passing to a spouse a condition of forming a coalition with the Liberals. This change in government policy was announced by the Premier after the election. However, due to a reduction in the numbers of NCP members in the Parliament, the NCP's allocation of Ministerial positions in the 13-member Ministry, went from 3 to 2, with the loss of Norm Baxter. Neil McNeill retired from the Ministry, allowing Ian Medcalf to be appointed Attorney-General.
On 24 July 1978, Bill Grayden resigned from the Ministry after pleading guilty to two charges of unlawful assault on police officers, and one of unlawful damage to a police car. Ray O'Connor was appointed as Acting Minister covering all three of Grayden's portfolios and was formally sworn in by the Governor on 7 August 1978. Ray Young was promoted to the Ministry. A number of significant portfolio changes occurred on 25 August 1978, resulting from a split within the NCP leading to half of its MP's, along with its state president, forming a breakaway National Party. Both of the NCP Ministers stayed with the original party.
The 1980 election, which saw little parliamentary change other than the defeat of Housing Minister Alan Ridge in his Kimberley seat and the retirement of Deputy Premier Des O'Neil from politics, preceded another reconstitution of the Ministry. Ray O'Connor, who had been a member of parliament since 1959, was promoted to the Deputy Premiership whilst two new Ministers were appointed and two Honorary Ministers were appointed. The Government failed to enact legislation which would have amended the Constitution to allow an expansion of the Ministry to 15, on account of maverick Liberal MLA Tom Dadour and the National Party opposing the measure.
On 18 December 1981, Sir Charles Court, then 70 years of age, announced his decision that he would step down as Premier on 25 January 1982. The ministry ended on that date and was succeeded by the O'Connor Ministry.
Ministry
First Ministry
On 5 June 1975, the Governor, Air Commodore Sir Hughie Edwards, designated 12 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 10 March 1977.* Hansard Indexes for 1975–1977, "Legislature of Western Australia" An honorary minister was appointed two weeks later; following the assent of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act (No.4) 1975 (No.86 of 1975) on 20 November 1975, the Ministry grew to 13 members and Ian Medcalf was formally appointed on 22 December.
The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index. Blue entries indicate members of the Liberal Party, whilst green entries indicate members of the National Country Party. The members of the Ministry were:
Office MinisterPremier and Treasurer Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development Minister for Federal Affairs (until 22 December 1975) Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,FCA, FICS, FASA, MLADeputy Premier Minister for Works Minister for Water Supplies Minister for the North-West Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLAChief Secretary Minister for Justice Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Neil McNeill, BSc (Agric), MLCMinister for Agriculture Dick Old, MLAMinister for Transport Minister for Police Minister for Traffic Ray O'Connor, MLAMinister for Education Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLCMinister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration Bill Grayden, MLAMinister for Industrial Development Minister for Mines Minister for Fuel and Energy Andrew Mensaros, MLAMinister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning Cyril Rushton, MLAMinister for Lands Minister for Forests Minister for Tourism Alan Ridge, MLAMinister for Health Minister for Community Welfare Norm Baxter, MLCMinister for Housing Minister for Conservation and Environment Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife Peter Jones, MLAHonorary Minister (19 June 1975 – 22 December 1975) Minister for Federal Affairs (from 22 December 1975) Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLC
Second Ministry
On 10 March 1977, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 and appointed the ministers to the positions.
On 24 July 1978, Bill Grayden resigned from the Ministry. Ray O'Connor was appointed the Acting Minister for all three portfolios, and was sworn into them on 7 August 1978. Ray Young was also promoted to the Ministry at this time. These arrangements stayed in place until 25 August reshuffle.*
Office MinisterPremier and Treasurer Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,FCA, FICS, FASA, MLADeputy Premier Chief Secretary Minister for Police and Traffic Minister for Regional Administration Minister for the North-West Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLAMinister for Agriculture Dick Old, MLAMinister for Fisheries and Wildlife Minister for Tourism Minister for Conservation and Environment Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLCMinister for Works Minister for Water Supplies Minister for Housing
(from 7 August 1978, acting from 24 July:) Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration Ray O'Connor, MLAMinister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration Bill Grayden, MLA(until 24 July 1978)Attorney-General Minister for Federal Affairs Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLCMinister for Education Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation Peter Jones, MLAMinister for Industrial Development Minister for Mines Minister for Fuel and Energy Andrew Mensaros, MLAMinister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning Cyril Rushton, MLAMinister for Health Minister for Community Welfare Alan Ridge, MLAMinister for Transport David Wordsworth, MLCMinister for Lands and Forests June Craig, MLAMinister without portfolio Ray Young, MLA(from 7 August 1978)
Third Ministry
On 25 August 1978, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 5 March 1980 following the 1980 state election.
Office MinisterPremier and Treasurer Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,FCA, FICS, FASA, MLADeputy Premier Chief Secretary Minister for Police and Traffic Minister for Regional Administration Minister for the North-West Des O'Neil, DipEd, MLAMinister for Agriculture Dick Old, MLAMinister for Works Minister for Water Supplies Minister for Tourism Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Graham MacKinnon, ED, JP, MLCMinister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration Minister for Fisheries and Wildlife Minister for Conservation and Environment Ray O'Connor, MLAAttorney-General Minister for Federal Affairs Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLCMinister for Education Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation Peter Jones, MLAMinister for Industrial Development Minister for Mines Minister for Fuel and Energy Andrew Mensaros, MLAMinister for Transport Cyril Rushton, MLAMinister for Housing Alan Ridge, MLAMinister for Lands and Forests David Wordsworth, MLCMinister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning June Craig, MLAMinister for Health Minister for Community Welfare Ray Young, MLA
Fourth Ministry
On 5 March 1980, the Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle, designated 13 principal executive offices of the Government under section 43(2) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899. The following ministers were then appointed to the positions, and served until the end of the Ministry on 25 January 1982, when the O'Connor Ministry was formed by Deputy Premier Ray O'Connor upon the Premier's retirement.
Office MinisterPremier and Treasurer Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development Sir Charles Court, OBE, Dip.Acctg.,FCA, FICS, FASA, MLADeputy Premier Minister for Labour and Industry Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Immigration
(until 12 February 1981:) Minister for Regional Administration Minister for the North-West Minister for Tourism Ray O'Connor, MLAMinister for Agriculture Dick Old, MLAAttorney-General Minister for Federal Affairs Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Ian Medcalf, ED, QC, LL.B., MLCMinister for Works Minister for Water Resources Minister assisting the Minister Co-ordinating Economic and Social Development Minister for Housing (until 12 February 1981) Andrew Mensaros, MLAMinister for Resources Development Minister for Mines Minister for Fuel and Energy Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce
(from 12 February 1981:) Minister for Housing Minister for Regional Administration Minister for the North-West Minister for Tourism Peter Jones, MLAMinister for Transport Cyril Rushton, MLAMinister for Health Ray Young, MLAMinister for Education Minister for Cultural Affairs Minister for Recreation Bill Grayden, MLAMinister for Lands and Forests David Wordsworth, MLCMinister for Local Government Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning June Craig, MLAChief Secretary Minister for Police and Traffic Minister for Community Welfare Bill Hassell, LL.B., MA, MLAMinister for Fisheries and Wildlife Minister for Conservation and Environment Gordon Masters, MLCHonorary Minister assisting the Ministers for Housing, Regional Administration, North West and Tourism Ian Laurance, Dip.Teach, BA, FAIM, MLAHonorary Minister assisting the Minister for Industrial Development and Commerce Barry MacKinnon, BEc, Dip.Acctg, FASA, MLA
Listed by name and portfolio