Tasmanian state election, 1948

Tasmanian state election, 1948
Tasmania
21 August 1948

All 30 seats to the House of Assembly
  First party Second party
 
Leader Robert Cosgrove Neil Campbell
Party Labor Liberal
Leader since 25 February 1948 February 1945
Leader's seat Denison Wilmot
Last election 16 seats 12 seats
Seats won 15 seats 12 seats
Seat change Decrease1 Steady0
Percentage 49.38% 37.84%
Swing Decrease1.59 Increase3.59

Premier before election

Robert Cosgrove
Labor

Elected Premier

Robert Cosgrove
Labor

A general election for the House of Assembly was held in the Australian state of Tasmania on 21 August 1948.

Background

In December 1947, Labor leader Robert Cosgrove had stood down as Premier while he faced charges of bribery, corruption and conspiracy. Cosgrove was acquitted of all charges on 22 February 1948, and was re-elected as Premier by the caucus, taking over from Edward Brooker who had filled in for him for three months. Brooker died on 18 June, four months after handing the premiership back to Cosgrove, and two months prior to the 1948 election.[1]

On 8 July, the Legislative Council voted to grant the House of Assembly two months supply provided an election was called after that time. The election was fought mainly on constitutional issues.[1]

Results

Tasmanian state election, 21 August 1948
House of Assembly
<< 1946 1950 >>

Enrolled voters 161,088
Votes cast 148,588 Turnout 92.24% +1.17%
Informal votes 5,866 Informal 3.95% –6.13%
Summary of votes by party
Party Primary votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 70,476 49.38% –1.59% 15 – 1
  Liberal 54,010 37.84% +3.59% 12 ± 0
  Ind. Lib. 9,729 6.82% –1.96% 1 ± 0
  Independent 8,330 5.84% –0.17% 2 + 1
Total 142,722     30  

Distribution of Seats

Electorate Seats won
Bass            
Darwin            
Denison            
Franklin            
Wilmot            
  Labor
  Liberal
  Ind. Lib.
  Independent

Aftermath

Labor lost its slender one seat majority, winning 15 seats out of 30, although they regained government and Cosgrove remained as Premier after receiving the support of one of the Independent members, Bill Wedd.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 W. A. Townsley, Cosgrove, Sir Robert (1884 - 1969), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 13, Melbourne University Press, 1993, pp 505-507.

External links

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