The Forster ministry was the fifth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by William Forster. Forster was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856. He was asked to form Government after the second Cowper ministry lost an educational bill in the Assembly.
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. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion William Forster (Queanbeyan) and Saul Samuel (Orange) were re-elected unopposed, while John Black was comfortably re-elected at the East Sydney by-election.
This ministry covers the period of just four months from 27 October 1859 until 8 March 1860, when Forster resigned his commission.
Composition of ministry PortfolioMinisterTerm startTerm endTerm lengthPremierColonial Secretary 27 October 18598 March 1860 daysColonial Treasurer Secretary for Lands Secretary for Public WorksRepresentative of the Government in the Legislative Council MLCAttorney General MLC27 October 185913 February 1860 days 21 February 18608 March 1860 daysSolicitor General MLC3 November 1859 days
Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.
See also
Self-government in New South Wales Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1859–1860
References