Askin–Cutler ministry (1971–1973)

The Askin–Cutler ministry (1971–1973) or Fourth Askin ministry was the 65th ministry of the New South Wales Government, and was led by the 32nd Premier, Bob Askin, of the Liberal Party in coalition with the Country Party, led by Charles Cutler. It was the fourth of six occasions when Askin was Premier; and when Cutler was Deputy Premier.

Askin was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1950 and served continuously up until 1975, representing variously the seats of Collaroy and Pittwater. Rising through the Liberal Party ranks, Askin served as Deputy Leader from 1954 until he was elected Leader of the NSW Liberal Party and Leader of the NSW Opposition, following the defeat of the Morton/Hughes–led coalition by Cahill's Labor at the 1959 election.^[1] Cutler was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1947 and served continuously up until 1975, representing the seat of Orange. Elected Deputy Leader of the Country Party in 1958 and, like Askin, Cutler was elected as leader of his party following the 1959 state election, replacing Davis Hughes. The Askin–Cutler–led Liberal/Country coalition was defeated at the 1962 election by Labor's Bob Heffron. In April 1964 Jack Renshaw replaced Heffron as Leader of the Labor Party and became Premier. Twelve months later, Renshaw called an election held on 13 May 1965; however after 24 years of consecutive Labor governments, Askin and Cutler led the coalition to government at the 1965 state election.

The first Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from 1965 until the 1968 state election; when the coalition again won office. The second Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1968 election until 11 February 1969, when the ministry was reconfigured. The third Askin–Cutler ministry was commissioned from the 1969 reconfiguration until the 1971 state election.

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Askin on 11 March 1971. There was a re-suffle on 19 June 1972 when Pat Morton resigned from the ministry and from Parliament, with Cutler taking on his portfolios of local government and highways and consequent changes. Cutler's portfolio of science was abolished, the portfolio of tourism and sport was split, while the portfolio of power was established.

During the term of this ministry on 14 December 1971, Askin changed his name by Deed Poll from Robin William Askin to Robert William Askin and on 1 January 1972, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. The following year, on 1 January 1973, Charles Cutler was also appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

This ministry covers the period until 17 January 1973,^[2] when Askin and Cutler reconfigured the Liberal/Country ministry following the resignation of Davis Hughes in order to take up a posting as Agent-General for New South Wales in London.

  Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1971–1973
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1970–1973