The Bolte Ministry was the 58th Ministry of the Government of Victoria, and was led by Liberal Premier Sir Henry Bolte. It succeeded the Cain ministry on 7 June 1955, following the defeat of the Labor government at the 1955 election held ten days earlier. The ministry lasted over 17 years and was followed by the Hamer Ministry on 24 August 1972 after the resignation of Bolte from politics.

Quick Facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...

Bolte Ministry
58th ministry of Victoria, Australia
Date formed	June 7, 1955
Date dissolved	August 23, 1972
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Sir Dallas Brooks (until 7 May 1963) Sir Rohan Delacombe (from 8 May 1963)
Premier	Sir Henry Bolte
Deputy premier	Sir Arthur Rylah (until 5 March 1971) Rupert Hamer (from 21 April 1971)
No. of ministers	15
Member party	Liberal Party
Status in legislature	Majority government 42 / 73
Opposition party	Labor
Opposition leaders	John Cain (until 4 August 1957) Ernie Shepherd (20 August 1957 to 12 September 1958) Clive Stoneham (7 October 1958 to 15 May 1967) Clyde Holding (from 15 May 1967)
History
Election(s)	1955 state election 1958 state election 1961 state election 1964 state election 1967 state election 1970 state election
Predecessor	Third Cain Ministry
Successor	Hamer Ministry

Close

On 7 and 8 June 1955, the Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks, appointed the following ministers to the portfolios indicated.^[1][2] Some changes resulted from the departure of William Leggatt,^[3] who was appointed Agent-General for Victoria in London in February 1956, the death of Robert Whately the following month,^[4][5] and the appointment of Gordon McArthur as President of the Victorian Legislative Council.^[6] However, the ministry was stable from 1956 until its reconstitution after the 1961 election.

The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Victorian Year Book.

On 28 July 1961, following the 1961 election, the Bolte Ministry was reconstituted. Sir Ewen Cameron became Chairman of Committees in the Legislative Council, whilst Sir Thomas Maltby retired from politics. They were replaced by Ronald Mack and Edward Meagher.^[7] The ministry was reconstituted on 8 July 1964 following the 1964 election.

On 8 July 1964, following the 1964 election, the Bolte Ministry was reconstituted.^[8]