Sir William John Lyne (6 April 1844 - 3 August 1913), Australian politician, was Premier of New South Wales and a member of the first federal ministry.

Lyne was born in Apslawn , Tasmania, and farmed in Tasmania and Queensland before settling near Albury, NSW, in about 1875. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1880. A Protectionist, he was Secretary for Public Works 1885, 1886-87 and 1891-94, and Secretary for Lands 1889. He was Preimier of NSW and Colonial Treasurer 1899-1901.

As Premier of the largest colony, Lyne considered himself entitled to be the first Prime Minister of Australia when the colonies federated in January 1901. In December 1900 the Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun offered the post to Lyne, but because Lyne had opposed federation, most senior politicians, notably Alfred Deakin, told Hopetoun that they would not serve under Lyne. Hopetoun was forced to accept the majority view that Edmund Barton, the leader of the federation movement, should be Prime Minister.

Lyne was elected to the first federal Parliament as member for the Division of Hume . He was Minister for Home Affairs in the Barton and Deakin governments 1901-03 and Minister for Trade and Customs 1903-04. He held this post again in the second Deakin government 1905-07, and was Treasurer 1907-08.

In 1908 Lyne opposed the merger of the Protectionist and Free Trade parties, accusing Deakin of betrayal, and thereafter sat as an independent Protectionist. Lyne held his seat as an independent in 1910 but was defeated in 1913. He died in Sydney shortly afterwards.

See also

• Australian Commonwealth ministries 1901-2004