Chapter 24 : Cabinet members

"The Minister of Medicine is Bradford Dilman," Arthur continued.

It's a rather unfamiliar name. He is not a government official or a high-ranking politician, but a commoner from an ordinary family. The reason he was chosen as Minister of Health was quite simple: he was an exceptional student, a rare talent who had graduated from a renowned European medical school, and he was also a distinguished physician in New South Wales.

Among Australia's more than three million inhabitants, over half were gold seekers, drawn by the mines and the gold rush, while less than a third were skilled individuals who had migrated to the major colonies. In such an environment, it's no surprise that talents like Bradford Dilman were highly valued. His expertise and knowledge in medicine were exceptional. His appointment not only reflected the need for skilled professionals in a developing territory but also Arthur's vision of prioritizing public health in a nation facing unique challenges due to its geography and growing population.

"The Minister of Education is Richard Noble Chapman," Arthur continued.

Richard Noble Chapman is the Premier of Tasmania and the least powerful of the six premiers. Compared to other regions, Tasmania, with a population of just 70,000, was at a disadvantage. Although Arthur had managed the allocation of seats in the House of Commons well, Tasmania had only secured seven. However, Richard Noble Chapman made a wise decision, one that allowed him to stand out. Knowing that competing economically with the other colonies was impossible, Chapman focused his efforts on establishing schools and promoting educational development. Despite its small population, Tasmania achieved an impressive literacy rate of 80 percent, with 70 percent of the population completing primary education, making it the region with the best educational conditions on the entire continent.

For this reason, he was appointed Minister of Education. The representatives recognized his outstanding ability and unparalleled experience in developing the education system. His focus on education not only benefited Tasmania but also served as a model for other regions, demonstrating that even the smallest colonies could achieve great things with a clear vision and meticulous execution.

Shortly after, Arthur announced the names of all the cabinet members.

Among them, the Minister of Public Safety was the former Governor of South Australia, Thomas Cech. There was no doubt that his appointment reflected his personal reputation and the advantages his experience brought. Thomas Cech had proven to be an effective leader in times of crisis, and his ability to maintain order in an expanding colony made him the ideal choice for this crucial role.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was the Premier of Queensland, Andrew King Porter, who, like Thomas Cech, needed no introduction. Porter had established strong diplomatic relations with other colonies and foreign powers, enabling him to negotiate beneficial agreements for Queensland. His experience in diplomacy and his understanding of the complexities of international relations made him indispensable in this new government.

The Minister of Livelihoods was the Premier of Victoria, Walter Black. With an impeccable record in improving the living conditions of Victoria's population, Black enjoyed a strong reputation across Australia. It was only natural that his performance made him an ideal choice for the position. Black had implemented policies that improved housing, access to food, and employment, earning him the respect and admiration of his compatriots.

The positions of Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Treasury were filled by Kent Claver Rowland and Roger Joseph Ebert, respectively.

Kent Claver Rowland, the son of butler Hunter and a talented graduate of a British military academy, was a choice that reassured Arthur. He was relieved to have him by his side as Secretary of Defense. Rowland had proven his worth on numerous occasions, demonstrating a deep understanding of military strategy and unwavering loyalty to Arthur. His appointment ensured that the armed forces would be in capable and trustworthy hands.

Roger Joseph Ebert, on the other hand, was the man Duke Arthur had left as a legacy to Arthur. Butler Roger and Butler Hunter were responsible for managing all of Duke Arthur's properties, including the factories overseen by Roger and the castles supervised by Butler Hunter. Roger had been instrumental in the development of the factories inherited from Duke Arthur, and his contribution to the growth of those industries had been indispensable. His experience in resource management and his ability to maximize productivity made him the perfect choice for the role of Secretary of the Treasury.

Both had followed Arthur from the beginning, changing their nationality to Australian as soon as possible to participate in the House of Commons elections and achieve success. Their dedication and loyalty were unquestionable, and Arthur trusted them completely to carry out the most critical tasks of the government.

The most important position, that of Prime Minister, fell to Governor Evan.

Governor Evan was the most influential figure in Australia's original colonial history, the undisputed leader among the governors. Granting him the position of Prime Minister not only pleased the original colonial forces but also ensured stability in Australia. Evan had proven to be a competent administrator and a respected leader, and his appointment was a recognition of his career and his ability to unify the various factions within the government.

Of course, Arthur would lose nothing by making this appointment, and he would also gain the favor of several governors. After all, from the beginning, Arthur had significantly weakened the power of the government cabinet, and the Prime Minister's authority had been considerably reduced. The current government cabinet had only executive power and was under the supervision of the House of Lords and Arthur.

The most powerful departments of the cabinet, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense, were also under Arthur's direct control. Under such circumstances, no one in control of the government would be able to mount significant resistance. The government cabinet was simply a tool through which Arthur indirectly governed Australia.

"Well, these are all the members of the government cabinet. Let us congratulate them on their election and the official formation of the cabinet!" Arthur said to everyone with a smile after announcing the list.

Applause erupted! Warm applause immediately filled the conference room as those chosen for the cabinet displayed expressions of joy and excitement. It was a historic moment, not only for them but for all of Australia. The formation of this cabinet marked the beginning of a new era, one in which the country would begin to consolidate itself as a unified and prosperous nation.

Australia's cabinet was not like other monarchical cabinets. Take, for example, the cabinet of the British Empire. In that system, the Prime Minister selects and forms the cabinet after their election. This allows the cabinet members to be completely under the leadership of the Prime Minister, facilitating government efficiency.

But in Australia, all cabinet members are elected by the House of Commons. They are not appointed by the Prime Minister. This structure significantly disperses power within the cabinet and turns it into a mere tool of Arthur's government, rather than a powerful institution that could rival him.

"After becoming cabinet members, all other positions must be relinquished immediately. Those of you holding other roles must submit a resignation letter to your original agency within a week. The governors of each state will temporarily serve in that position during that time. Subsequently, the state legislatures will hold elections to decide on the new governor, and you will automatically lose your position," Arthur said with a smile.

Cabinet positions were far more important than others, and Arthur did not allow individuals to hold two highly significant roles simultaneously. This ensured that no one would be overburdened with work and that no power blocs could form to challenge his authority. It was a necessary measure to maintain balance and stability in the government.

"Yes," responded the governors of each state, already prepared for the reorganization.

Compared to the powerful cabinet members, the governors seemed to have the same level of authority, but in reality, their power was controlled by Arthur, the central government, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the state legislatures. The powers they could exercise were systematically reduced. With this reorganization, anyone with discernment knew which position to choose. It would not be a loss to give up a relatively less important role.

"Very well, let us conclude the House of Commons session. The government elections have come to an end. The current task for all members is to conduct a thorough investigation into the current situation in Australia and address any gaps in the Australian Constitution," Arthur said with a smile. "All cabinet members will assume their positions this afternoon. Your first task will be to familiarize yourselves with the departments under your purview and the relevant situations. We will hold a cabinet meeting within a week."

The atmosphere in the room was one of optimism and determination. Arthur had successfully consolidated a government that, while under his supervision, promised to be efficient and just. The challenges they faced were immense, but with a talented and dedicated cabinet, Australia was on its way to becoming a strong and unified nation.

. . .

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