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The
Premier
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In the Press
Room.
The Premier is the name given to the leader of the N.S.W. Government.
The Premier must be a member of the Legislative Assembly. He is elected
from the party members who win the most seats in the Legislative
Assembly.
In 1984 the Premiers' Corridor was established that has the portraits
of all the Premiers in New South Wales.
Some of our important Premiers
Sir Stuart Donaldson was the
first Premier of N.S.W. in 1856. His
government only lasted 11 weeks.
Sir Charles Cowper was the
second Premier but was removed after 5 weeks
(1856). He was later elected again 4 more times. He was Premier for a
total of 7 years. He introduced the secret ballot and the vote to most
adult males.
Sir Henry Parkes (1815-1896)
was the most outstanding nineteenth
century New South Wales politician featuring in the development of
Australia's Federation movement (1890s). He supported democratic
reform, free trade, public works building and public education. He is
also the longest serving Premier being elected 5 times for a total of
13 years.
Sir George Reid was the only
Premier of N.S.W. 1894-1899 to also become
Prime Minister of Australia 1904-1905. Later he became a member of the
British House of Commons 1916-1918.
J.T. (Jack) Lang was the
Premier from 1876 to 1975. He was very popular
and outspoken and supported many social services, the 40 hour working
week and public works projects. He was the most controversial Premier
of New South Wales being dismissed by the Governor, Sir Philip Game
when he clashed with the Federal Government over payment of interest on
loans during the Great Depression.
Sir Robert (Robin) Askin was
the Premier from 1965 to 1975. He led the
Liberal-National government for almost 10 years from 1965.
He defended states rights from Federal Government control of
finances and authority.
Neville Wran was the Premier
from 1976 till 1986. He led the Labor Party in the longest unbroken
Premiership. He made moderate
constitutional reform and reform in areas of the public service, civil
liberties, environment and consumer laws.
The longest serving Premier of N.S.W. was Henry Parkes (13 weeks) and
the shortest Premiership was Sir George Fuller (7 hours).