Reid Government

The Right Honourable Sir George Reid GCB, GCMG, KC
4th Prime Minister of Australia Elections: 1901, 1903, 1906
In office 18 August 1904 – 5 July 1905
Monarch	Edward VII
Governor-General	Lord Northcote
Preceded by	Chris Watson
Succeeded by	Alfred Deakin

The Reid Government refers to the period of federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister Sir George Reid. It lasted from 18 August 1904 - 5 July 1905. Reid was the one and only Prime Minister of Australia to belong to the Free Trade Party to govern Australia.Allan McLean of the Protectionist Party served as deputy.

George Reid led the Free Trade Party and was Opposition Leader for 6 of the Australian Parliament's first 7 years of existence. The major issue of the first General Election of March 1901 was to be whether or not Australia would be established as a Protectionist or Free Trade nation. Prior to Federation, the Colony of Victoria had settled on Protectionism, while New South Wales had favoured Free Trade. In the absence of strong party affiliations outside the Australian Labour Party (which was divided on the question), candidates tended to be defined in relation to their attitude to trade, and while Barton sought compromise, the Free Trader George Reid pushed for the question to be a central election issue.

Following the March election, Barton's Protectionists won 27 seats in the newly formed 75 member Australian House of Representatives. Reid's Free Trade supporters won 32 seats, leaving the Labour Party, on 16 seats, with the balance of power. Labour confirmed "support in return for concessions" and backed Barton, who became Prime Minister in a minority government. The 36 seat Senate meanwhile held just 14 Senators declaring themselves in support of the Barton Government. The Deakin Government (1903-1904) and Watson Government followed the Barton Government.

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