State Government of New South Wales beginning 28 October 1959 - period in office of Premier Heffron, Robert James ending on 30 April 1964
Period in office of premier (see Glossary entry for 'period in office' and related terms)
Parliamentary support during period
Coalition partner 1
Number of ministers at beginning of period (this may vary during the period)
Assembly elections contested as premier or after which became premier (see Glossary entry for 'after election')
| Election | Premier at election | Premier's party | Premier after election | Premier's party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW 3 March 1962 | Robert James Heffron | Australian Labor Party | Robert James Heffron | Australian Labor Party |
Previous period in this series for NSW | Next period in this series for NSW
Notes
Death of premier (Cahill): Beginning of Heffron's period in office; 'On 22 October 1959 Cahill died. Heffron was immediately commissioned as Premier subject to being confirmed as leader of the Labor Party. On 28 October caucus elected him leader unopposed and filled the vacancy in the ministry', Hughes and Graham, p. 80, (see 'Sources', below).
Change of party leader (Heffron): 'On 28 April Heffron retired. On 29 April caucus elected Renshaw as leader and filled the vacancy in cabinet', Hughes and Graham, p. 84, (see 'Sources', below). Williams argues that disputes within the Australian Labor Party over an initiative by Heffron to introduce state aid to church schools undermined his public standing and was a major factor in the timing of his resignation as premier; Williams, pp. 326-328 (see 'References', below).
References: For an analysis of the role of Premier in New South Wales, see David Clune and Ken Turner, 'Introduction: The Changing Role of the Premier in the 20th Century', pp. 1-14, in Clune and Turner vol. 2 (see, 'Sources', below).
For a survey of Cahill's political career, see Evan Williams, 'John Joseph Cahill', in Clune and Turner, vol. 2, pp. 315-330 (see 'Sources', below), and Robert Carr, 'Heffron, Robert James (1890-1978)', in John Ritchie (general editor), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 14, pp. 427-429, (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1996, ISBN 052284717X).
Sources
David Clune and Ken Turner (editors), The Premiers of New South Wales, vol. 2, (1901-2005), (Sydney: Federation Press, 2006, ISBN 186287551); Colin A Hughes and B D Graham, A Handbook of Australian Government and Politics 1890-1964, pp. 57-85, (Canberra: Australian National University Press, 1968, SBN 708102700); New South Wales, Parliament, The New South Wales Parliamentary Record: Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, 1824-1999, vol. VI, pp. 246-308, (Sydney: Parliament of New South Wales, 1999). In consulting these sources, note the difference between ministries and periods in office.