First Playford IV ministry

Not to be confused with First Playford II ministry .

First Playford ministry
58th ministry of South Australia
Playford in 1938
Date formed	5 November 1938 (1938-11-05)
Date dissolved	16 May 1944 (1944-05-16); 5 years, 193 days
People and organisations
Monarch	King George VI
Governor	Winston Dugan Malcolm Barclay-Harvey
Premier	Thomas Playford
No. of ministers	6
Member party	Liberal and Country
Status in legislature	Minority government (1938–1941) Majority government (1941–1944)
Opposition cabinet	Richards shadow ministry
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leader	Robert Richards
History
Elections	29 March 1941 29 April 1944
Legislature terms	29th 30th
Predecessor	Second Butler ministry
Successor	Second Playford ministry

The first Playford ministry was the 58th ministry of the Government of South Australia, led by the state's 33rd premier Thomas Playford. Playford inherited the premiership in November 1938 after the resignation of Richard Butler, who sought to enter federal politics. Initially five seats short of a majority, Playford's 1941 election victory gave his government the exact amount required to form a majority. His first ministry was dissolved following the 1944 election after Percy Blesing refused to resign. His second ministry would stand for over 20 years, largely thanks to the Playmander.

Arrangement

The ministry was formed on 5 November 1938. The ministry saw little change over its five years; Lyell McEwin replacing George Ritchie was the only change in personnel. Playford picked up Shirley Jeffries' responsibilities shortly before the ministry was dissolved in May 1944, following his electoral defeat.

Party		Minister	Portrait	Offices
	Liberal and Country	Thomas Playford (1896–1981) MHA for Gumeracha (1938–1968)		Premier [note 1] Treasurer Minister of Immigration Attorney-General (from 6 May 1944) Minister of Education (from 6 May 1944) Minister of Industry and Employment (from 6 May 1944)
	Liberal and Country	Shirley Jeffries (1886–1963) MHA for Torrens (1938–1944)		Attorney-General (until 6 May 1944) Minister of Education (until 6 May 1944) Minister of Industry and Employment (until 6 May 1944)
	Liberal and Country	Reginald Rudall (1885–1955) MHA for Angas (1938–1944)		Commissioner of Crown Lands Minister of Repatriation Minister of Irrigation
	Liberal and Country	Malcolm McIntosh (1888–1960) MHA for Albert (1921–1959)		Commissioner of Public Works Minister of Railways Minister of Marine Minister of Local Government
	Liberal and Country	George Ritchie (1864–1944) MLC for Northern District (1924–1944)		Chief Secretary (until 8 August 1939) Minister of Health (until 8 August 1939) Minister of Mines (until 8 August 1939)
	Liberal and Country	Percy Blesing (1879–1949) MLC for Northern District (1924–1949)		Minister of Agriculture Minister of Afforestation
	Liberal and Country	Lyell McEwin (1897–1988) MLC for Northern District (1934–1975)		Chief Secretary (from 8 August 1939) Minister of Health (from 8 August 1939) Minister of Mines (from 8 August 1939)

Notes

1. The office of Premier was not officially recognised until 1965, however, the title was widely used to describe the leader of the majority party/coalition in Government since the beginning of responsible government in 1857.

References

• "Statistical Record of the Legislature 1836–2007" (PDF). Parliament of South Australia. 24 April 2007. p. 149. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2011.