Reid ministry
The Reid ministry (Free Trade) was the 4th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 4th Prime Minister, George Reid. The Reid ministry succeeded the Watson ministry, which dissolved on 17 August 1904 after the Protectionist Party withdrew their support and Chris Watson was forced to resign. Due to having to rely on the Protectionists to retain office, half of the ministry was forced to accommodate conservative Protectionists - leading to the government to sometimes be referred to as the Reid-McLean Ministry. The ministry was replaced by the Second Deakin ministry on 5 July 1905 after the Protectionists withdrew their support and returned to office with the support of the Labour Party.[1]
Reid ministry | |
|---|---|
4th Ministry of Australia | |
Group photo of the Reid ministry with Governor-General Lord Northcote. | |
| Date formed | 17 August 1904 |
| Date dissolved | 5 July 1905 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Edward VII |
| Governor-General | Lord Northcote |
| Prime Minister | George Reid |
| No. of ministers | 8 |
| Member party | Free Trade |
| Status in legislature | Minority government (Protectionist support) |
| Opposition party | Labour |
| Opposition leader | Chris Watson |
| History | |
| Legislature term(s) | 2nd |
| Predecessor | Watson ministry |
| Successor | Second Deakin ministry |
James Drake, who died in 1941, was the last surviving member of the Reid ministry; Drake was also the last surviving minister of the Barton government and the First Deakin ministry. Sir Josiah Symon was the last surviving Free Trade minister.
Ministry edit
| Party | Minister | Portrait | Portfolio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trade | Rt Hon George Reid KC (1845–1918) MP for East Sydney | |||
| Protectionist | Hon Allan McLean (1840–1911) | |||
| Free Trade | Hon Sir Josiah Symon KCMG KC (1846–1934) Senator for South Australia | |||
| Protectionist | Rt Hon Sir George Turner KCMG (1851–1916) | |||
| Free Trade | Hon Dugald Thomson (1849–1922) MP for North Sydney | |||
| Protectionist | Hon James McCay (1864–1930) | |||
| Free Trade | Hon Sydney Smith (1856–1934) | |||
| Protectionist | Hon James Drake (1850–1941) Senator for Queensland | |||
Notes edit
- ^ a b c d McLean, Turner, McCay and Drake were conservative Protectionist Party members. Their acceptance of office in Reid's ministry, although it had Alfred Deakin's tacit approval, it effectively ended their connection with the Deakinite organisation.
References edit
- ^ "Ministries and Cabinets". 45th Parliamentary Handbook. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 19 February 2018.