Chief Secretary of New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chief Secretary of New South Wales |
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| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor of New South Wales |
| Precursor | Colonial Secretary |
| Formation | 1 January 1821 |
| First holder | Frederick Goulburn |
| Abolished | 4 April 1995 |
The Chief Secretary of New South Wales was a very important job in the government of New South Wales, a state in Australia. From 1821 to 1959, this role was known as the Colonial Secretary.
For much of the 1800s, the Colonial Secretary was one of the most powerful people in public life. The job changed a lot from when it started in 1821 until it ended in 1995. Different tasks and responsibilities were added or removed over time.
What Did the Chief Secretary Do?
The job of Colonial Secretary began in 1821. Before that, there was a "Secretary to the Governor." This change showed that New South Wales was starting to move from being fully controlled by the Governor to having more self-government.
At first, the Colonial Secretary was like a main assistant to the Governor and also the secretary for the whole colony. In 1804, Governor of New South Wales Philip Gidley King explained that the Colonial Secretary:
- Kept all official papers and records.
- Wrote down important government messages.
- Was in charge of making official documents like land grants.
- Looked after lists of convicts and their sentences.
- Handled almost every official government task.
This job was very important and required a lot of trust. The first Colonial Secretary was Major Frederick Goulburn, who started on January 1, 1821.
From Record-Keeper to Political Leader
Initially, the role was mostly about keeping records and collecting money. But it also made sure government departments worked well. The Colonial Secretary was also a member of the Governor's Council and the Legislative Council.
After 1842, the Governor no longer sat in the Legislative Council. This meant the Colonial Secretary became the main government spokesperson there. This made the job much more powerful, especially before the role of Premier became fully developed.
When New South Wales gained full responsible government in 1856, the Colonial Secretary became a political position within the government's top team (the Cabinet). It was no longer just a job for a civil servant. Until 1904, the Premier often held this job too.
From 1904 onwards, the Colonial Secretary was a government minister. The job was similar to the Home Secretary in Britain. In 1959, the name officially changed from "Colonial Secretary" to "Chief Secretary."
Key Responsibilities Over Time
For most of its later history, up until 1975, the Chief Secretary was in charge of many important areas, including:
- Looking after the Aboriginal people's protection and welfare.
- Managing matters related to Lord Howe Island.
- Overseeing gaming, racing, betting, and poker machines.
- Regulating and licensing theatres.
- Censoring and classifying books, art, films, and plays.
- Keeping the Great Seal (an official stamp for important documents).
- Handling election matters.
- Protecting the environment and managing fisheries.
The role was brought back for a short time in 1976 and then again from 1988 to 1995. After that, the position was finally removed.
The old letters and records from the Colonial Secretary's office are now very valuable. They help us learn a lot about the history of New South Wales and how Australia was first settled by the British.
