Reid ministry

For the New South Wales ministry led by George Reid between 1894 and 1899, see Reid ministry (New South Wales).

See also: Reid government

The Reid ministry (Free Trade) was the 4th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 4th Prime Minister, George Reid. The Reid ministry succeeded the Watson ministry, which dissolved on 17 August 1904 after the Protectionist Party withdrew their support and Chris Watson was forced to resign. Due to having to rely on the Protectionists to retain office, half of the ministry was forced to accommodate conservative Protectionists - leading to the government to sometimes be referred to as the Reid-McLean Ministry. The ministry was replaced by the Second Deakin ministry on 5 July 1905 after the Protectionists withdrew their support and returned to office with the support of the Labour Party.^[1]

Reid ministry
4th Ministry of Australia
Group photo of the Reid ministry with Governor-General Lord Northcote.
Date formed	17 August 1904
Date dissolved	5 July 1905
People and organisations
Monarch	Edward VII
Governor-General	Lord Northcote
Prime Minister	George Reid
No. of ministers	8
Member party	Free Trade
Status in legislature	Minority government (Protectionist support)
Opposition party	Labour
Opposition leader	Chris Watson
History
Legislature term	2nd
Predecessor	Watson ministry
Successor	Second Deakin ministry

James Drake, who died in 1941, was the last surviving member of the Reid ministry; Drake was also the last surviving minister of the Barton government and the First Deakin ministry. Sir Josiah Symon was the last surviving Free Trade minister.

Ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Free Trade	Rt Hon George Reid KC (1845–1918) MP for East Sydney (1901–1909)		Prime Minister Minister for External Affairs Leader of the Free Trade Party
	Protectionist	Hon Allan McLean (1840–1911) MP for Gippsland (1901–1906)[a]		Minister for Trade and Customs
	Free Trade	Hon Sir Josiah Symon KCMG KC (1846–1934) Senator for South Australia (1901–1913)		Attorney-General Leader of the Government in the Senate
	Protectionist	Rt Hon Sir George Turner KCMG (1851–1916) MP for Balaclava (1901–1906)[a]		Treasurer
	Free Trade	Hon Dugald Thomson (1849–1922) MP for North Sydney (1901–1910)		Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Leader of the Free Trade Party
	Protectionist	Hon James McCay (1864–1930) MP for Corinella (1901–1906)[a]		Minister for Defence
	Free Trade	Hon Sydney Smith (1856–1934) MP for Macquarie (1901–1906)		Postmaster-General
	Protectionist	Hon James Drake (1850–1941) Senator for Queensland (1901–1906)[a]		Vice-President of the Executive Council

Notes

1. McLean, Turner, McCay and Drake were conservative Protectionist Party members. Their acceptance of office in Reid's ministry, although it had Alfred Deakin's tacit approval, it effectively ended their connection with the Deakinite organisation.

References

1. "Ministries and Cabinets". 45th Parliamentary Handbook. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 19 February 2018.