Tuesday, 01 August 2006

The first New South Wales Liberal/Country Government was elected to office on 1 May 1965 under the leadership of Sir Robert Askin. The New South Wales Liberal/National Coalition was re-elected to government in three successive State elections and remained in government until 1 May 1976. Sir Robert Askin retired on 3 January 1975. The following Premiers of the New South Wales Liberal/Country Government were Tom Lewis and then Eric Willis. Under the premiership of these individuals, the Liberal Government progressed in a variety of activities, including:

  • The introduction of Australia's first pollution control legislation.

  • Australia's first consumer protection legislation.
  • The construction of the Eastern Suburbs Railway.
  • The establishment of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
  • The establishment of the NSW Law Reform Commission.
  • Completion of the Sydney Opera House.
  • The establishment of the first Women's Advisory Board and Ethnic Affairs Bureau.
  • The abolition of death duties.
  • Free school transport.
  • The introduction of Colleges of Advanced Education.
  • The introduction of four weeks annual leave.

The second New South Wales Liberal/National Government was elected to office on 19 March 1988 under the leadership of Nick Greiner. With the resignation of Premier Nick Greiner on 24 June 1992, John Fahey was elected to the premiership. The Greiner and Fahey Governments presided over a period of substantial structural reform that traversed industrial relations, State finances and micro-economic reform in many State utilities. Some of the achievements of the Greiner and Fahey Governments include:

  • Selective High Schools.
  • Last payment on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
  • The establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
  • The successful bid for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
  • The Parramatta River Cat.
  • The appointment of the first Minister for the Status of Women.
  • The launch of the New South Wales Senior's Card.
  • The establishment of the Office of Ageing and the Senior's Media Network to combat negative stereotypes about ageing.
  • The abolition of compulsory retirement.
  • The passage of the Disability Services Act to guarantee the rights of all disabled people in New South Wales.
  • The establishment of the Environment Protection Authority to protect and improve the State's environment.