1885 New South Wales colonial election

Last updated

1885 New South Wales colonial election
Flag of New South Wales.svg
  1882 16 October 1885 –
31 October 1885
1887  

All 122 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
62 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
  George Dibbs Federation Conference 1884.jpg Sir John Robertson.jpg
Leader George Dibbs Sir John Robertson
Party Government Opposition
Leader's seat St Leonards Mudgee
Seats won9 Ministers [1]
58 Supporters [a] [2]
11 Oppositionists [1]
56 Against Government [a] [2]

1885 New South Wales colonial election.svg
Results of the election, showing winners in each seat. Seats without circles indicate the electorate returned one member. Members are categorised by their vote in a vote of no confidence which took place on 8 December 1885. [2]

Premier before election

George Dibbs

Elected Premier

George Dibbs

The 1885 New South Wales colonial election was held between 16 October and 31 October 1885. This election was for all of the 122 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 37 single-member constituencies, 24 2-member constituencies, seven 3-member constituencies and four 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult male British subjects, resident in New South Wales. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 7 October 1885 by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, on the advice of the Premier, George Dibbs.

Contents

There was no recognisable party structure at this election, the last election for which this was the case; instead the government was determined by a loose, shifting factional system. Dibbs had succeeded Alexander Stuart two weeks before the election was held, and maintained a fragile grip on power after the election until 22 December, when he was defeated by Sir John Robertson.

Key dates

DateEvent
7 October 1885The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
13 October to 24 October 1885Nominations for candidates for the election closed.
16 October to 31 October 1885Polling days.
17 November 1885Opening of new Parliament.

Results

New South Wales colonial election, 16 – 31 October 1885 [3]
Legislative Assembly
<< 18821887 >>

Enrolled voters232,390
Votes cast129,888 Turnout 61.10+4.41
Informal votes2,669Informal2.01−0.09
Summary of votes by party
PartyPrimary votes %SwingSeatsChange
Total23,899  122 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Dibbs</span> Australian politician (1834–1904)

Sir George Richard Dibbs KCMG was an Australian politician who was Premier of New South Wales on three occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Farnell</span> Australian politician (1825–1888)

James Squire Farnell was an Australian politician and Premier of New South Wales. Farnell was a hard-working legislator who gave much study to the land question and also tried hard for some years to pass a bill for the regulation of contagious diseases.

Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly who served in the 11th parliament of New South Wales held their seats from 1882 to 1885. Elections for the eleventh Legislative Assembly were held between 30 November and 21 December 1882 with parliament first meeting on 3 January 1883. The Assembly was expanded to 113 members elected in 40 single member electorates, 26 two member electorates, 3 three member electorate and 3 four member electorates. The parliament had a maximum term of 3 years and was dissolved on 7 October 1885 after 33 months. The Premiers during this parliament were Sir Alexander Stuart until 7 October 1885 and then George Dibbs. The Speaker was Edmund Barton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart ministry</span> New South Wales government ministry led by Alexander Stuart

The Stuart ministry was the 20th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by Sir Alexander Stuart. Stuart was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874.

The first Dibbs ministry was the 21st ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was the first of three occasions of being led by the Premier, George Dibbs. Dibbs was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874.

The fourth Parkes ministry was the 24th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the seventh Premier, Sir Henry Parkes. It was the fourth of five occasions that Parkes was Premier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parkes ministry (1889–1891)</span>

The fifth Parkes ministry was the 26th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the seventh Premier, Sir Henry Parkes. It was the fifth and final occasion that Parkes was Premier. The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but was not a formal position in the government until 1920. Instead the Premier was appointed to another portfolio, usually Colonial Secretary. Having served in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1854 and 1856, Parkes was elected in the first free elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly held in 1856, however resigned from Parliament later that year. He served in the Assembly on several occasions, between 1858 and 1870, being forced to resign on 4 occasions due to his personal insolvency. He came to power as Premier on the first occasion in 1872, serving as Premier for a period of three years. However, Parkes lost the confidence of the Assembly following Governor Robinson's decision to release of the bushranger Frank Gardiner led to the defeat of the ministry in 1875.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dibbs ministry (1889)</span> Second New South Wales government ministry led by George Dibbs

The second Dibbs ministry was the 25th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was the second of three occasions of being led by the tenth Premier, George Dibbs. Dibbs was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1874. In a period of great financial stress for the Colony, this ministry covers just 49 days from 17 January 1889 until 7 March 1889. Dibbs took over as Premier on the first occasion in October 1885 following resignation of the Alexander Stuart due to ill-health, with his ministry lasting for 75 days. Dibbs served as Colonial Secretary in the Jennings ministry, before it too suffered budgetary pressures. It was during this time that the party system was formed in New South Wales with Sir Henry Parkes leading the Free Trade Party. Dibbs had been elected as an independent free trader, however his opposition to Parkes caused Dibbs to align himself with the Protectionist Party. Dibbs had assumed office when Parkes lost a vote on the floor of the Assembly. Parliament was dissolved on 19 January 1889 and an election was held in February. There was a significant swing to the Protectionists, gaining 29 seats, however it was insufficient to command a majority of the Legislative Assembly and Parkes resumed the premiership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dibbs ministry (1891–1894)</span> Third New South Wales government ministry led by George Dibbs

The third Dibbs ministry, the 27th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, was led by Sir George Dibbs, leader of the Protectionist Party, following the 1891 New South Wales election, which saw the Labour Party win seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and the balance of power. With no party having a majority, Sir Henry Parkes held on as Premier until October 1891 when he lost a vote in the Legislative Assembly, causing Parkes to resign as Premier and leader of the Free Trade Party. Dibbs formed the ministry on 23 October 1891, with Labour support, and comprised 10 ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reid ministry (New South Wales)</span> New South Wales ministry led by George Reid

The Reid ministry was the 28th ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the 12th Premier, George Reid. The title of Premier was widely used to refer to the Leader of Government, but was not a formal position in the government until 1920. Instead the Premier was appointed to another portfolio, usually Colonial Secretary but on this occasion Reid took the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer until July 1899 and then Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1922 New South Wales state election</span> State election for New South Wales, Australia in March 1922

The 1922 New South Wales state election was held on 25 March 1922. This election was for all of the 90 seats in the 26th New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in multiple member constituencies using the Hare Clark single transferable vote. The 25th parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 17 February 1922 by the Governor, Sir Walter Edward Davidson, on the advice of the Premier James Dooley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1891 New South Wales colonial election</span> Colonial election for New South Wales, Australia in 1891

The 1891 New South Wales colonial election was held in the then colony of New South Wales between 17 June to 3 July 1891. This election was for all of the 141 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 35 single-member constituencies, 20 2-member constituencies, 10 3-member constituencies and nine 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Part 1 of the Electoral Act of 1880 set the qualification for election on "every male subject of Her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years and absolutely free being a natural born or naturalized subject". Seven seats were uncontested. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 6 June 1891 by the Governor, The Earl of Jersey, on the advice of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1894 New South Wales colonial election</span> Colonial election for New South Wales, Australia in July 1894

The 1894 New South Wales colonial election was held on 17 July 1894 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. Section 23 (1) of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act of 1893 conferred a right to vote on 'every male person, being a natural born [British] subject, who shall have resided or had his principal place of abode in New South Wales for a continuous period of one year'. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1889 New South Wales colonial election</span> Colonial election for New South Wales, Australia in February 1889

The 1889 New South Wales colonial election was held between 1 February and 16 February 1889. This election was for all of the 137 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 37 single-member constituencies, nineteen 2-member constituencies, ten 3-member constituencies and eight 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Part 1 of the Electoral Act of 1880 had awarded the right to vote to 'every male subject of Her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years and absolutely free being a natural born or naturalized'. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 19 January 1889 by the Governor, Lord Carrington, on the advice of the Premier, George Dibbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1887 New South Wales colonial election</span> Colonial election for New South Wales

The 1887 New South Wales colonial election was held between 4 February and 26 February 1887. This election was for all of the 124 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 37 single-member constituencies, 23 2-member constituencies, seven 3-member constituencies and five 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Part 1 of the Electoral Act of 1880 had awarded the right to vote to 'every male subject of Her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years and absolutely free being a natural born or naturalized'. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 26 January 1887 by the Governor, Lord Carrington, on the advice of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

The 1882 New South Wales colonial election was held between 30 November and 21 December 1882. This election was for all of the 113 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 40 single-member constituencies, 26 2-member constituencies, three 3-member constituencies and three 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult male British subjects, resident in New South Wales. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 23 November 1882 by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, on the advice of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

The 1880 New South Wales colonial election was held between 17 November and 2 December 1880. This election was for all of the 108 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 43 single-member constituencies, 25 2-member constituencies, one 3-member constituency and three 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult white males. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 9 November 1880 by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, on the advice of the Premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

The 1877 New South Wales colonial election was held between 24 October and 12 November 1877. This election was for all of the 73 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 53 single-member constituencies, six 2-member constituencies and two 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult male British subjects, resident in New South Wales. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 12 October 1877 by the Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson, on the advice of the Premier, Sir John Robertson.

The 1858 New South Wales colonial election was held between 13 January and 12 February 1858. This election was for all of the 54 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 18 single-member constituencies, 13 2-member constituencies, two 3-member constituencies and one 4-member constituency, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult white males. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 19 December 1857 by the Governor, Sir William Denison, on the advice of the Premier, Charles Cowper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1856 New South Wales colonial election</span> Colonial election for New South Wales, Australia in 1856

The 1856 New South Wales colonial election was held between 11 March and 19 April 1856. This election was for all of the 54 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 18 single-member constituencies, 13 2-member constituencies, two 3-member constituencies and one 4-member constituency, all with a first past the post system.

References

  1. 1 2 "LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 14, 867. New South Wales, Australia. 18 November 1885. p. 7. Retrieved 23 May 2024 via National Library of Australia.
  2. 1 2 3 "Votes", No. 10. VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS of the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, vol. 1, Sydney, New South Wales: Parliament of New South Wales, 2 December 1885, p. 41
  3. Green, Antony. "1885 election totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales . Retrieved 20 September 2019.

Notes

a There was no discernable party structure in New South Wales at the time. Instead, this numbers are gathered from the ministerial and opposition benches at the start of Parliament, as well as the results of an 8 December 1885 attempted Vote of no confidence against Premier Dibbs. All candidates stood and were elected as independents and their classification here into groups is intended only to give an easier assessment of the political situation in the colony.

See also