1979 Australian Capital Territory general election

Last updated
1979 Australian Capital Territory
general election
Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg
  1974 2 June 19791982 
Turnout90.0% (Decrease2.svg 2.0)
 First partySecond party
  Labor Placeholder.png Liberal Placeholder.png
Leader Peter Vallee Jim Leedman
Party Labor Liberal
Leader sinceJanuary 1977
Leader's seat Fraser Canberra
Seats won84
Seat changeIncrease2.svg4Decrease2.svg 3
Percentage37.4%18.5%
SwingIncrease2.svg15.2Decrease2.svg 12.3

 Third partyFourth party
 
AD
FAM
Leader Gordon Walsh Bev Cains
Party Democrats Family Team
Leader's seat Canberra Canberra
(won seat)
Last electionDid not contestDid not contest
Seats before10
Seats won21
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 2Increase2.svg 3
Percentage6.5%
SwingIncrease2.svg 6.5

The 1979 Australian Capital Territory general election was held on 2 June 1979 to elect all 18 members of the House of Assembly, the main elected representative body of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This was the first election for the House after it had been renamed from Legislative Assembly. [1]

Contents

The election saw a swing of 15% towards the Labor Party, while the conservative Family Team won its first seat. The Australian Democrats also contested for the first time, winning two seats. [2] [3]

Background

As preparations were still being made for the granting of self-government to the ACT, the House served a largely advisory role, with most powers over the ACT still lying in the hands of the relevant federal minister through the life of the Assembly. [4]

Nine members were elected by single transferable vote proportional representation from each of the ACT's two federal House of Representatives divisions, making 18 in total. Independent members who vacated mid-term were replaced by recounting their original votes to their next preferences to choose a runner-up. Members endorsed by a political party were replaced by a nominee of that party.

Results

Vote totals

House of Assembly (STV/PR)
PartyVotes %SwingSeatsChange
  Labor 37.4+15.28Increase2.svg 4
  Liberal 18.5–12.34Decrease2.svg 3
  Democrats 6.5+6.52Increase2.svg 2
  Family Team 1Increase2.svg 1
 Unemployed Workers Union0Steady2.svg
  Independents 3Decrease2.svg 1
 Formal votes90.0–2.0
 Informal votes10.0+7.0
 Total100.0
 Registered voters / turnout90.0–2.0

Distribution of seats

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References

  1. "HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY VOTE 15pc ALP swinh first count". Trove. The Canberra Times.
  2. "Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly Elections – Division of Fraser". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Special . No. S113. Australia. 20 June 1979. p. 1 via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Australian Democrats: Our History".
  4. "The road to self-government". Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory.