New South Wales colonial election, 1894

New South Wales colonial election, 1894
New South Wales
17 July 1894
All 125 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader George Reid George Dibbs no leader
Party Free Trade Protectionist Labor
Leader since September 1891 January 1889
Leader's seat East Sydney (contesting Sydney-King) Murrumbidgee (contesting Tamworth)
Last election 44 seats 52 seats 35 seats
Seats won 50 seats 37 seats 15 seats
Seat change Increase6 Decrease15 Decrease20
Percentage 30.34 27.69% 16.49%
Swing Decrease6.15 Decrease8.81 Decrease4.13
Premier before election

George Dibbs
Protectionist

 Elected Premier

George Reid
Free Trade

The 1894 New South Wales colonial election was held on 17 July 1894. This election was for all of the 125 seats in the 16th New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in single-member constituencies with a first past the post voting system. The 15th parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 25 June 1894 by the Governor, Sir Robert Duff, on the advice of the Premier, George Dibbs.

This election saw the elimination of multi-member districts. At the previous election there had been 20 two-member districts, 10 three-member districts, and 9 four-member districts. Their elimination also saw the Assembly reduced in size from 141 to 125 members.

Although he had lost control of the Assembly, Dibbs did not resign until after the parliament had reconvened, when the Governor forced his hand.

Key dates

Date Event
25 June 1894 The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
9 – 14 July 1894 Nominations for candidates for the election closed at noon.
27 July 1894 Polling day.
7 August 1894 Opening of 16th Parliament.

Results

New South Wales colonial election, 17 July 1894
Legislative Assembly
<< 1891 — 1895 >>

Enrolled voters 255,802
Votes cast 200,956 Turnout 78.56 +19.48
Informal votes 3,310 Informal 1.62 −0.38
Summary of votes by party
Party Primary votes % Swing Seats Change
  Free Trade 60,966 30.34 −6.15 50 +6
  Protectionist 55,652 27.69 −8.81 37 −15
  Labor 33,143 16.49 −4.13 15 −20
  Ind. Free Trade 23,324 11.61 +7.91 11 +7
  Ind. Protectionist 14,434 7.18 +5.17 4 ±0
  Independent Labor 11,504 5.72 +5.30 8 +7
  Independent 1,933 0.96 −0.71 0 −1
Total 200,956     125  

References

See also