Third Hughes ministry

See also: Billy Hughes

The Third Hughes ministry (Nationalist) was the 13th ministry of the Government of Australia. It was led by the country's 7th Prime Minister, Billy Hughes. The Third Hughes ministry succeeded the Second Hughes ministry, which dissolved on 17 February 1917 after the governing National Labor Party merged with the Liberal Party to form the Nationalist Party. The National Labor Party itself formed as a consequence of the split that took place within the then-governing Labor Party over the issue of conscription. The ministry was replaced by the Fourth Hughes ministry on 8 January 1918 following the resignation of Hughes as Prime Minister after a vote of no-confidence within the Nationalist Party in the wake of a failed second referendum on conscription. However, due to a lack of alternative leaders, Hughes was immediately re-commissioned as Prime Minister by Governor-General Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson.

Third Hughes ministry
13th Ministry of Australia
Group photo of the Third Hughes ministry
Date formed	17 February 1917
Date dissolved	8 January 1918
People and organisations
Monarch	George V
Governor-General	Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson
Prime Minister	Billy Hughes
No. of ministers	11
Member party	Nationalist
Status in legislature	Majority government
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leader	Frank Tudor
History
Election(s)	5 May 1917
Legislature term(s)	6th 7th
Predecessor	Second Hughes ministry
Successor	Fourth Hughes ministry

Billy Hughes, who died in 1952, was the last surviving member of the Third Hughes ministry; Hughes was also the last surviving member of the Watson ministry, First Fisher ministry, Third Fisher ministry and Second Hughes ministry.

Ministry

Party		Minister	Portrait	Portfolio
	Nationalist	Rt Hon Billy Hughes KC (1862–1952) MP for West Sydney (1901–1917) MP for Bendigo (1917–1922)		Prime Minister Leader of the Nationalist Party Attorney-General
		Rt Hon Joseph Cook (1860–1947) MP for Parramatta (1901–1921)		Deputy Leader of the Nationalist Party Minister for the Navy
		Rt Hon Sir John Forrest GCMG (1847–1918) MP for Swan (1901–1918)		Treasurer
		Hon George Pearce (1870–1952) Senator for Western Australia (1901–1938)		Minister for Defence
		Hon Edward Millen (1860–1923) Senator for New South Wales (1901–1923)		Vice-President of the Executive Council (to 16 November 1917) Minister for Repatriation (from 28 September 1917) Leader of the Government in the Senate
		Hon William Watt (1871–1946) MP for Balaclava (1914–1929)		Minister for Works and Railways
		Hon Paddy Glynn KC (1855–1931) MP for Angas (1903–1919)		Minister for Home and Territories
		Hon Jens Jensen (1865–1936) MP for Bass (1910–1919)		Minister for Trade and Customs
		Hon William Webster (1860–1936) MP for Gwydir (1903–1919)		Postmaster-General
		Hon Littleton Groom (1867–1936) MP for Darling Downs (1901–1929)		Honorary Minister (to 16 November 1917) Vice-President of the Executive Council (from 16 November 1917)
		Hon Edward Russell (1878–1925) Senator for Victoria (1907–1925)		Honorary Minister