Jennings ministry
The Jennings ministry was the 23rd ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the eleventh Premier, the Honourable Sir Patrick Jennings KCMG, and the first Roman Catholic to hold the office of Colonial Premier. Jennings was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1869–70 election, and then again in 1880.
There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. These by-elections are only noted when the minister was defeated; in general, he was elected unopposed.
This ministry covers the period from 26 February 1886 until 19 January 1887. Jennings took over as Premier following the February 1886 resignation of the Hon. Sir John Robertson MLA. Jennings' ministry was beset by financial difficulties, lasted only 11 months, and was succeeded by Henry Parkes.
