The ministry was the third and final of three consecutive occasions when the government was led by McGirr, as Premier.

McGirr was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1922 and served continuously until 1952, holding the various seats of Cootamundra, Cumberland, Bankstown, and Liverpool.

Labor lost its majority at the 1950 state election and had to rely upon the support of two independent members, James Geraghty and John Seiffert, who had been expelled from Labor as a result of voting against the party ticket in the 1949 election for the Legislative Council.

Seiffert was subsequently re-admitted to the Labor party This ministry covers the period from 30 May 1950 until 2 April 1952[1][2] when McGirr resigned as Premier in favour of his deputy Joe Cahill.

[3] The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier McGirr following the election held on 30 May 1950, and covers the period up until 2 April 1952.