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A leadership election of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 22 December 1977. Following the resignation of Gough Whitlam former Treasurer Bill Hayden was elected Labor's new leader winning 36 votes to 28 over Lionel Bowen who was then elected deputy leader. [1]
After losing the 1977 election Gough Whitlam finally resigned as party leader after more than 10 years.
Bill Hayden who in May had come within two votes of toppling Whitlam, announced the day after election that he would contest the leadership. [2]
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The following tables gives the ballot results:
| Name | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Hayden | 36 | 56.25 | |
| Lionel Bowen | 28 | 43.75 | |
| Candidate | 1st ballot | 2nd ballot | 3rd ballot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Bowen | 25 | 26 | 33 | |
| Tom Uren | 22 | 26 | 29 | |
| Mick Young | 10 | 11 | Eliminated | |
| Ralph Willis | 7 | Eliminated | ||
| Abstentions | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
Paul Keating had previously announced that he would stand for the deputy leadership, [3] however he stood aside in favour of Bowen. [4]
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