Forster ministry
# Forster ministry

The Forster ministry was the fifth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by William Forster. Forster was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in March 1856. He was asked to form Government after the second Cowper ministry lost an educational bill in the Assembly.

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion William Forster (Queanbeyan) and Saul Samuel (Orange) were re-elected unopposed, while John Black was comfortably re-elected at the East Sydney by-election.

This ministry covers the period of just four months from 27 October 1859 until 8 March 1860, when Forster resigned his commission.

## Composition of ministry

| Portfolio | Minister | Term start | Term end | Term length |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Premier Colonial Secretary | William Forster | 27 October 1859 | 8 March 1860 | 133 days |
| Colonial Treasurer | Saul Samuel | 27 October 1859 | 8 March 1860 | 133 days |
| Secretary for Lands | John Black | 27 October 1859 | 8 March 1860 | 133 days |
| Secretary for Public Works Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council | Geoffrey Eagar MLC | 27 October 1859 | 8 March 1860 | 133 days |
| Attorney General | Edward Wise MLC | 27 October 1859 | 13 February 1860 | 109 days |
| Attorney General | Sir William Manning | 21 February 1860 | 8 March 1860 | 16 days |
| Solicitor General | John Hargrave MLC | 3 November 1859 | 8 March 1860 | 126 days |

Ministers are members of the Legislative Assembly unless otherwise noted.

* ↑ Edward Wise resigned his commission and from parliament in 1860 and was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court.
* ↑ Sir William Manning had previously been a member of the Legislative Assembly and was subsequently appointed to the Legislative Council, but was not a member of parliament at the time of this appointment.
* ↑ John Hargrave had been Solicitor General since 21 February 1859 in the second Cowper ministry.
