Western Australian state election, 1953
Western Australian state election, 1953
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 14 February 1953 to elect all 50 members to the Legislative Assembly. The two-term Liberal-Country Party coalition government, led by Premier Sir Ross McLarty, was defeated by the Labor Party, led by Opposition Leader Bert Hawke.
The election was notable in that 22 of the 50 seats were not contested at the election. Only two other elections—those held in 1890 and 1894—had a greater percentage or number of uncontested seats.
Key dates
| Date |
Event |
| 7 January 1953 |
The Legislative Council was prorogued and the Legislative Assembly was dissolved.[1] |
| 23 January 1953 |
Writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.[2] |
| 30 January 1953 |
Close of nominations. |
| 14 February 1953 |
Polling day, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. |
| 23 February 1953 |
The McLarty-Watts Ministry resigned and the Hawke Ministry was sworn in. |
| 27 February 1953 |
The writ was returned and the results formally declared. |
| 6 August 1953 |
Parliament was summoned for business.[3] |
Results
|
Western Australian state election, 14 February 1953
Legislative Assembly
<< 1950 — 1956 >>
|
| Enrolled Voters |
205,644[1] |
|
|
| Votes Cast |
192,225 |
|
Turnout |
93.47% |
+0.86% |
| Informal Votes |
5,028 |
|
Informal |
2.62% |
+0.64% |
| Summary of votes by party |
| Party |
Primary Votes |
% |
Swing |
Seats |
Change |
| |
Labor |
93,157 |
49.76% |
+7.92% |
26 |
+ 3 |
| |
Liberal |
71,042 |
37.95% |
–2.13% |
15 |
± 0 |
| |
Country |
9,196 |
4.91% |
–4.40% |
9 |
± 0 |
| |
Ind. Lib. |
3,458 |
1.85% |
–0.40% |
0 |
– 2 |
| |
Communist |
1,350 |
0.72% |
+0.36% |
0 |
± 0 |
| |
Independent |
8,994 |
4.80% |
–1.35% |
0 |
– 1 |
| Total |
192,225 |
|
|
50 |
|
- 1 319,941 electors were enrolled to vote at the election, but 22 seats (44% of the total) were uncontested—12 Labor seats (six more than 1950) representing 65,993 enrolled voters, 3 Liberal seats (one more than 1950) representing 14,297 enrolled voters, and 7 Country seats (three more than 1950) representing 34,007 enrolled voters.
See also
References
- ^ "Prorogation of the Legislative Council and Dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. Proclamation.". Western Australia Government Gazette: p. 1953:41. 9 January 1953.
- ^ "The Electoral Act, 1907–1952. Legislative Assembly General Election, 1953.". Western Australia Government Gazette: p. 1953:157. 23 January 1953.
- ^ "Parliament Summoned to Meet for Business - Proclamation.". Western Australia Government Gazette: p. 1953:983. 13 May 1953.