Gair Ministry


The Gair Ministry was a ministry of the Government of Queensland and was led by Labor Premier Vince Gair. It succeeded the Hanlon Ministry on 17 January 1952 following Ned Hanlon's death two days earlier. On 26 April 1957, Gair and most of the Ministry were expelled from the Labor Party and formed the Queensland Labor Party, retaining the ministry but losing the confidence of the Assembly. The ministry was followed by the Nicklin Ministry on 12 August 1957 following the defeat of both Labor and the QLP at the resulting election.

First ministry

On 17 January 1952, the Governor, Sir John Lavarack, designated 11 principal executive offices of the Government, appointed former minister Ted Walsh to the Executive Council to fill the vacancy left by Hanlon's death, and appointed the following Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland to the Ministry as follows. The initial form of the Ministry was almost unchanged from its predecessor.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
Vince Gair

Deputy Premier

Secretary for Public Lands and Irrigation
Tom Foley
Secretary for Agriculture and StockHarold Collins
Attorney-GeneralJames Larcombe
Secretary for Labour and IndustryArthur Jones
Minister for TransportJack Duggan

Secretary for Health

Secretary for Home Affairs
Bill Moore

Secretary for Public Works

Secretary for Housing

Secretary for Local Government
Paul Hilton
TreasurerTed Walsh

Secretary for Mines

Secretary for Immigration
Ernest Riordan

Second ministry

On 16 March 1953, the Governor, Sir John Lavarack, designated 11 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland to the Ministry as follows. No portfolios changed although the ordering did — it had the effect of promoting Jack Duggan and Ted Walsh.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
Vince Gair

Deputy Premier

Minister for Transport
Jack Duggan

Secretary for Public Lands and Irrigation
Tom Foley
TreasurerTed Walsh
Secretary for Agriculture and StockHarold Collins
Secretary for Labour and IndustryArthur Jones

Secretary for Health

Secretary for Home Affairs
Bill Moore
Attorney-GeneralWilliam Power

Secretary for Public Works

Secretary for Housing
Paul Hilton
Secretary for Public InstructionGeorge Devries

Secretary for Mines

Secretary for Immigration
Ernest Riordan

Secretary for Mines

Secretary for Immigration
Colin McCathie

Third ministry

On 28 May 1956, the Governor, Sir John Lavarack, designated 11 principal executive offices of the Government and appointed the following Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland to the Ministry as follows. It represented a reshuffle of the Ministry, with some portfolios being transferred and Foley being demoted. Foley left the ministry just over two weeks later following the verdict of a royal commission into land leases which found him guilty of three counts of corrupt conduct.
On 18 April 1957, the Queensland Central Executive of the Labor Party passed a vote of no confidence in Premier Gair, and on 24 April, despite having gained a unanimous vote of support from the Cabinet, he was expelled from the Labor Party. On 26 April, Gair convened a meeting of 25 MLAs, including all of the Cabinet except Deputy Premier Jack Duggan and two ex-Labor Independents, and formed the Queensland Labor Party with those present. All these were also expelled from the party. Duggan resigned from the ministry on 29 April and became leader of the Labor Party — Thomas Moores was sworn in to replace him on 7 May. On 13 June, following denial of supply in parliament, an election was called for 3 August, at which the Government and the Labor Party were defeated by the Country-Liberal coalition led by Frank Nicklin. The ministry was succeeded by the Nicklin Ministry on 12 August 1957.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
Vince Gair

Deputy Premier

Minister for Transport
Jack Duggan

Treasurer

Deputy Premier
Ted Walsh
Secretary for Agriculture and StockHarold Collins
Secretary for Labour and IndustryArthur Jones

Secretary for Health

Secretary for Home Affairs
Bill Moore
Attorney-GeneralWilliam Power
Secretary for Public Lands and IrrigationPaul Hilton
Secretary for MinesTom Foley

Secretary for Public Instruction

Secretary for Mines
George Devries

Secretary for Public Works

Secretary for Housing

Secretary for Immigration
Colin McCathie
Secretary for Public InstructionLes Diplock
Minister for TransportThomas Moores