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Deputy Premier of New South Wales facts for kids

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Deputy Premier of
New South Wales
Flag of New South Wales.svg
Coat of Arms of New South Wales.svg
John Flint, Paul Toole MP & Richard Neville (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Paul Toole

since 6 October 2021
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Style The Honourable
Member of
Reports to Premier of New South Wales
Seat 52 Martin Place, Sydney
Nominator Premier of New South Wales
Appointer Governor of New South Wales
on the advice of the premier
Term length At the Governor's pleasure
Formation 16 May 1932
First holder Sir Michael Bruxner

The Deputy Premier of New South Wales is the second-most senior officer in the Government of New South Wales. The deputy premiership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1932, and the deputy premier is appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Premier.

The current Deputy Premier is Paul Toole, since 6 October 2021. Toole is also the Minister for Police, and the Minister for Regional New South Wales.

Ultimately, the Deputy Premier is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

History

The office of Deputy Premier was created in May 1932 for Michael Bruxner, the leader of the Country Party (later renamed the National Party). Prior to that time the term was sometimes used unofficially (without capital letters) for the second-highest ranking minister in the government.

In Labor governments, the Deputy Premier is the party's deputy leader. Generally speaking, this person has come from the left faction of the party whereas the Premier has come from the right faction. In Liberal-National Coalition governments, the position has been held by the Leader of the National Party or its predecessors.

Three Deputy Premiers have subsequently become Premier in their own right: Joseph Cahill, Robert Heffron, and Jack Renshaw. However, this has not occurred since 1964.

Duties

The duties of the Deputy Premier are to act on behalf of the Premier in his or her absence overseas or on leave. The Deputy Premier has always been a member of the Cabinet, and has always held at least one substantive portfolio (It would be technically possible for a minister to hold only the portfolio of Deputy Premier, but this has never happened).

If the Premier were to die, become incapacitated or resign, the Governor would normally appoint the Deputy Premier as Premier. If the governing or majority party had not yet elected a new leader, that appointment would be on an interim basis. Should a different leader emerge, that person would then be appointed Premier.

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