Second Kidston Ministry


The Second Kidston Ministry was the 25th ministry of the Government of Queensland and was led by Premier William Kidston. It succeeded the Second Philp Ministry on 18 February 1908, 13 days after the 1908 state election. The ministry was followed by the Denham Ministry on 7 February 1911 following Kidston's retirement from politics.
At first the ministry represented only his own "Kidstonites" party, but from October 1908 reflected a merger of that party with Robert Philp's conservative party as Kidston had concluded that co-operation with the Labour Party was no longer possible.

First ministry

On 18 February 1908 the Governor, the Rt Hon Viscount Chelmsford, designated eight principal executive offices of the Government, and appointed the following Members of the Parliament of Queensland to the Ministry as follows:
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
William Kidston

Deputy Premier

Secretary for Public Instruction
Andrew Henry Barlow, MLC

Attorney-General

Secretary for Mines
James Blair
Secretary for Public LandsJoshua Thomas Bell
TreasurerPeter Airey
Secretary for AgricultureThomas O'Sullivan, MLC

Home Secretary
Arthur Hawthorn

Secretary for Railways

Secretary for Public Works
George Kerr

Second ministry

Following the merger of the Kidston and Philp parties, a new ministry was formed on 29 October 1908.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
William Kidston

Deputy Premier

Secretary for Public Instruction
Andrew Henry Barlow, MLC
Home SecretaryJoshua Thomas Bell
Secretary for Public LandsDigby Denham
Attorney-GeneralThomas O'Sullivan, MLC
TreasurerArthur Hawthorn

Secretary for Mines

Secretary for Public Works
John Appel

Secretary for Railways

Secretary for Agriculture
Walter Paget

Third ministry

Another major reshuffle took place on 22 June 1909. One junior minister, George Jackson, subsequently lost his parliamentary seat at the 1909 state election, necessitating the reshuffle of his portfolios on 22 October 1909.
OfficeMinister

Premier

Chief Secretary
William Kidston

Deputy Premier

Secretary for Public Lands
Digby Denham

Attorney-General
Thomas O'Sullivan, MLC
TreasurerArthur Hawthorn

Secretary for Public Instruction

Secretary for Public Works
Walter Barnes

Home Secretary

Secretary for Mines
John Appel

Secretary for Agriculture and Stock

Secretary for Railways
Walter Paget

Secretary for Mines

Secretary for Public Works
George Jackson
Minister without portfolioAndrew Henry Barlow, MLC