Editing Robert Askin (section)

==Leader of the Opposition==
Morton's refusal to give up his many business interests while as leader led many to accuse him of being a 'part-time leader' and together with his second election loss, eroded confidence in his leadership.<ref name=edit>"Editorial", ''Sydney Morning Herald 19 July 1959 p20''</ref> On 14 July 1959, three Liberal MLAs called on Morton to resign, stating that the party needed a full-time leader and that Morton no longer commanded the majority support of his colleagues. Morton refused and instead called an emergency meeting on 17 July to confirm his leadership.<ref>"Morton May Be Deposed Today", ''Sydney Morning Herald'' 17 July 1959, p. 1</ref>

By this time, Askin had emerged as one of the main opponents to his longtime friend and former commander. However, he and the other major challenger to Morton's leadership, [[Eric Willis]] declared that they would only take the leadership if they were given an absolute majority of 28 votes. At the party meeting, a spill motion to remove Morton as leader carried by two votes. Willis then surprised many by deciding not to put his name forward for nomination, leaving Askin to take the leadership unopposed. Willis was eventually elected as deputy leader.{{sfnp|Hancock|2007|page=104}} Upon election, Askin declared that "One of my main tasks will be to sell our [Liberal Party] ideas and principles to the working man."<ref>''Sydney Morning Herald'', 18 July 1959, p. 1.</ref>

When Premier Cahill died on 22 October 1959, he was replaced by Askin's friend and parliamentary contemporary, [[Robert Heffron|Robert "Bob" Heffron]], which tended to calm his aggression and opposition towards the government.{{sfnp|Hancock|2006|pages=347–352}} At the [[1962 New South Wales state election|March 1962 election]], Labor had been in power for 21 years and Heffron had since been Premier for 2 and a half years. Heffron was 72 at the time of the election and his age and the longevity of the government were made issues by the Askin's opposition which described it as being composed of "tired old men". The standing of Heffron's government suffered when the electors rejected its proposal to abolish the [[New South Wales Legislative Council]] at a [[1961 New South Wales referendum|referendum in April 1961]], being the first time Labor had lost a state electoral poll in 20 years. Askin's successful opposition campaign centred on warning of a Labor-dominated single house subject to "Communist and Trades Hall influence".{{sfnp|Hancock|2006|pages=105-106}}

Labor's policies for the election included the establishment of a Department of Industrial Development to reduce unemployment, free school travel, aid to home buyers and commencing the construction of the [[Pacific Motorway (Sydney–Newcastle)|Sydney–Newcastle Freeway]] as a toll-road.<ref>{{cite news |title= Labor Election Policy|newspaper= The Sydney Morning Herald|date= 13 February 1962|page=1 }}</ref> By contrast, Askin put forward a wide-ranging program of reform and addressed contentious issues including the introduction of State Aid for private schools, making rent control fairer and the legalisation of off-course betting on horse races. Askin accused the state government of allowing the transport infrastructure of the state to decline and promised to build the Newcastle freeway without a toll, to construct the [[Eastern Suburbs railway line|Eastern Suburbs Railway]] and to plan for a second crossing of Sydney Harbour. Askin also made promises for more resources in mental health and district hospitals.<ref>{{cite news |title= Pledge to Suspend Toll Road Proposals|newspaper= The Sydney Morning Herald|date= 15 February 1962|page=1 }}</ref>

Despite these promises, Askin and the new Country Party Leader, [[Charles Cutler]], lost the election to Heffron, mainly due to the adverse reactions of voters towards the November 1960 "horror budget" and credit squeeze made by the federal Coalition government under Menzies. The Coalition lost five seats, despite a small swing of 0.16% and the Coalition gaining the support of prominent media businessman, [[Frank Packer]], who helped project the image of Askin and the Liberals as a viable alternative government.{{sfnp|Hancock|2006|pages=347–352}} Askin retained his seat with 72.53%.<ref>{{cite NSW election |year=1962 |district=Collaroy |access-date =22 May 2020}}</ref>

The 1965 campaign against the Labor Government—led since April 1964 by [[Jack Renshaw]]—a government widely perceived to be tired and devoid of ideas, was notable for being one of Australia's first "presidential-style" campaigns, with Askin being the major focus of campaigning and a main theme of "With Askin You'll Get Action".{{sfnp|Hancock|2006|page=352}}

He received vigorous support from the newspapers and TV stations owned by Packer. At the [[1965 New South Wales state election|May 1965 election]], the Liberal/Country Coalition gained 49.8% of the vote to 43.3% to the [[Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch)|ALP]]. While the Liberals took only two seats from Labor, Askin got the support of the two independent members, [[Douglas Darby]] ([[Electoral district of Manly|Manly]]) and [[Harold Coates]] ([[Electoral district of Hartley (New South Wales)|Hartley]]), giving him enough support to end Labor's 24-year run in power.  He officially took office on 1 May, with [[Charles Cutler]] of the Country Party as deputy premier.{{sfnp|Hancock|2006|page=353}}