Premier of New South Wales

Premier of New South Wales
Post	Premier
Body	New South Wales
Insigniasize	120
Insigniacaption	Coat of arms of New South Wales
Incumbent	Chris Minns
Incumbentsince	28 March 2023
Department	Department of Premier and Cabinet
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Legislative Assembly, Cabinet, Executive Council
Reports to	Parliament of New South Wales
Residence	Kirribilli House (Sydney), 52 Martin Place (official)
Seat	Sydney
Nominator	Political Party
Appointer	Governor of New South Wales
Termlength	At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation	6 June 1856
First	Stuart Donaldson
Deputy	Prue Car (Deputy Premier)
Salary	A$407,980 (2023)

Premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the Australian state of New South Wales. The premier leads the Executive Council, chairs the Cabinet, and is responsible for advising the Governor on the exercise of executive power. The office is held by the leader of the political party or coalition able to command a majority in the Legislative Assembly.

Role and responsibilities

The premier sets the government's policy agenda and political priorities, directing the activities of the Cabinet and the broader ministry. As chair of the Executive Council, the premier advises the Governor on key appointments, including judges and senior public servants. The premier represents New South Wales at major national forums such as the National Cabinet and the Council of Australian Governments, negotiating on matters like GST distribution and health funding. The premier's portfolio includes the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which coordinates policy across agencies like Transport for NSW and NSW Health.

Appointment and tenure

The premier is formally appointed by the Governor, who by convention selects the leader of the party or coalition that holds a majority in the Legislative Assembly following a state election. The premier must be a member of the Legislative Assembly, maintaining the Westminster convention of responsible government to the lower house. There is no fixed term, with tenure dependent on retaining the confidence of the Assembly; a premier may be dismissed by the Governor if they lose a vote of no confidence and cannot secure a dissolution. The Governor-General has reserve powers in extreme circumstances, as demonstrated during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis.

History and development

The position originated with the granting of responsible government to New South Wales in 1856, following the Constitution Act 1855 passed by the Imperial Parliament. The first premier, Stuart Donaldson, took office on 6 June 1856. The early period was marked by instability, with frequent changes in leadership between factions led by figures like Henry Parkes and John Robertson. The rise of formal party politics began with the Free Trade and Protectionist parties, later solidifying into the modern Labor and Coalition system. Significant constitutional developments include the Australia Acts, which severed residual powers of the British Parliament.

List of premiers

Since 1856, there have been over 45 premiers, with the longest-serving being Sir Henry Parkes, who served five separate terms between 1872 and 1891. Other notable long-serving premiers include William McKell, who later became Governor-General, and Bob Carr, whose tenure from 1995 to 2005 is the longest continuous service in the state's history. The first Labor premier was James McGowen in 1910. The first female premier was Kristina Keneally in 2009. The current premier, Chris Minns of the Labor Party, assumed office on 28 March 2023 after defeating the government of Dominic Perrottet.

Official residence and symbols

The premier's primary official Sydney residence is Kirribilli House, a property managed by the Commonwealth but made available to the state premier. The premier's principal office is located at 52 Martin Place in Sydney, within the historic Chief Secretary's Building. The premier uses the state coat of arms on official documents and is entitled to the style The Honourable, a title retained for life. Official transport is typically provided by the NSW Police in vehicles such as the BMW 7 Series.

Relationship with other institutions

The premier leads the state's representation at the National Cabinet, engaging directly with the Prime Minister and other premiers on national policy. Within New South Wales, the premier works closely with the Treasurer on the state budget and with the Attorney General on legal reforms. The premier also interacts with key independent bodies like the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Judicial Commission. In times of crisis, such as during the 2019-20 bushfires or the COVID-19 pandemic, the premier coordinates the state response through agencies like the Rural Fire Service and NSW Health.

Category:Premiers of New South Wales Category:Government of New South Wales Category:Heads of government of Australian states and territories