Farnell ministry

Farnell ministry
18th cabinet of the Colony of New South Wales
Premier James Farnell and the Colony of New South Wales (1863–1900)
Date formed	18 December 1877 (1877-12-18)
Date dissolved	20 December 1878 (1878-12-20)
People and organisations
Head of government	James Farnell
Head of state	Queen Victoria (represented by Hercules Robinson)
No. of ministers	9
Member party	unaligned
Status in legislature	Minority government
Opposition party	unaligned
Opposition leader	Henry Parkes
History
Predecessor	Fourth Robertson ministry
Successor	Third Parkes ministry

The Farnell ministry was the eighteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the Honourable James Farnell. Farnell was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1860.

The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but not enshrined in formal use until 1920.

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 18 December 1877 until 20 December 1878, when Farnell resigned following his inability to gain safe passage of a land bill through Parliament. Henry Parkes succeeded Farnell as Leader of the Government.