Australia’s first Labor Government took office on April 27, 1904, led by Prime Minister John Christian Watson.
The government resigned four months later, after it was defeated in the House of Representatives, on August 17, 1904.
Note: Higgins was not a member of the ALP. He is the only minister in any Federal Labor government since 1901 not to have been a member of the party. Watson wanted a qualified and experienced lawyer in the post of Attorney-General. Even though Hughes had gained a law degree during his time in parliament, he apparently did not feel that he had sufficient experience to take on the position.
| The First ALP Ministry – 1904 – J.C. Watson | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Ministry | Name |
|
1
|
Prime Minister | Watson, John Christian |
| Treasurer | Watson, John Christian | |
|
2
|
Minister for External Affairs | Hughes, William Morris |
|
3
|
Attorney-General | Higgins, Henry Bournes, KC |
|
4
|
Minister for Home Affairs | Batchelor, Egerton Lee |
|
5
|
Minister for Trade and Customs | Fisher, Andrew |
|
6
|
Minister for Defence | Dawson, Senator Anderson |
|
7
|
Postmaster-General | Mahon, Hugh |
|
8
|
Vice-President of Executive Council | McGregor, Senator Gregor |
