First Fisher ministry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First Fisher ministry
6th Ministry of Australia
Group photo of the First Fisher ministry with Governor-General Lord Dudley
Date formed	13 November 1908
Date dissolved	2 June 1909
People and organisations
Monarch	Edward VII
Governor-General	Lord Dudley
Prime Minister	Andrew Fisher
No. of ministers	9
Member party	Labour
Status in legislature	Minority government (Protectionist support)
Opposition party	Anti-Socialist Liberal
Opposition leader	George Reid Joseph Cook Alfred Deakin
History
Legislature term(s)	3rd
Predecessor	Second Deakin ministry
Successor	Third Deakin ministry

The First Fisher ministry was the sixth group of leaders to form the Australian Government. It was led by Andrew Fisher, who was Australia's fifth Prime Minister. This government was formed by the Labour Party.

Australia's First Fisher Government

What is a Government Ministry?

In Australia, a "ministry" is like a team of important leaders. These leaders, called ministers, work together to run the country. Each minister is in charge of a different area, such as money, defence, or foreign affairs. The Prime Minister is the leader of this team.

How the Government Started

The First Fisher ministry began on 13 November 1908. Before this, the government was led by Alfred Deakin. His government, called the Second Deakin ministry, lost the support of the Labour Party. When a government loses support, the Prime Minister often has to resign. This is what happened to Alfred Deakin.

After Deakin resigned, Andrew Fisher and his Labour Party formed the new government. It was a minority government, meaning they didn't have enough seats in parliament to rule alone. They relied on support from another group, the Protectionist Party.

Key People in the Ministry

Andrew Fisher was the Prime Minister and also looked after the country's money as the Treasurer. He was a very important figure in Australian politics.

Andrew Fisher, who led the First Fisher ministry.

Another key member was Billy Hughes. He was the Attorney-General, which means he was the government's main legal advisor. Billy Hughes later became Prime Minister himself.

Billy Hughes, a key member of the First Fisher ministry.

Other ministers in Fisher's team included:

• Lee Batchelor, who was the Minister for External Affairs, dealing with other countries.
• Hugh Mahon, the Minister for Home Affairs, looking after things inside Australia.
• Josiah Thomas, the Postmaster-General, in charge of mail and communications.
• George Pearce, the Minister for Defence, responsible for the country's military.
• Frank Tudor, who was the Minister for Trade and Customs.
• Gregor McGregor, the Vice-President of the Executive Council and the Labour Party's Deputy Leader in the Senate.
• James Hutchison, who was a Minister without a specific department.

How the Government Ended

The First Fisher ministry did not last very long. It ended on 2 June 1909. This happened because two other political groups, the Protectionist Party and the Anti-Socialist Party, decided to join forces. They formed a new, bigger party called the Liberal Party. This joining together was often called the "fusion."

When these parties merged, they withdrew their support from Fisher's Labour government. The new Liberal Party then formed the next government, which was the Third Deakin ministry, led by Alfred Deakin again. This new Liberal government was the first time a single party had a clear majority in the Australian federal parliament.

Images for kids

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  Lee Batchelor

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  Hugh Mahon

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  Josiah Thomas

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  George Pearce

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  Frank Tudor

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  Gregor McGregor

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  James Hutchison