[1] Having served in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1854 and 1856, Parkes was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856, however resigned from Parliament later that year.

However, Parkes lost the confidence of the Assembly following Governor Robinson's decision to release of the bushranger Frank Gardiner led to the defeat of the ministry in 1875.

[1] The retirement of Robertson pitted Parkes against George Dibbs and after the governments of both Dibbs and Sir Patrick Jennings faltered under public debt,[2] Parkes formed this, his fourth ministry.

[4] Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.

[5] The initial ministers were not required to face a by-election as they had been appointed prior to the general election in February 1887.