Tasmanian state election, 1955

Tasmanian state election, 1955

19 February 1955

All 30 seats to the House of Assembly   First party Second party   Leader Robert Cosgrove Rex Townley Party Labor Liberal Leader since 25 February 1948 6 February 1950 Leader's seat Denison Denison Last election 15 seats 14 seats Seats won 15 seats 15 seats Seat change 0 1 Percentage 52.63% 45.35% Swing 4.00 2.23

Premier before election Robert Cosgrove Labor Resulting Premier Robert Cosgrove Labor

Elections for the House of Assembly were held in the Australian state of Tasmania on 19 February 1955.

The incumbent Labor government, led by Robert Cosgrove, had been in office continuously since 1934, although had not held a majority since 1946. It was looking to win another term in minority government against the opposition Liberal Party, on this occasion led by Rex Townley.

Results

The election resulted in a parliamentary deadlock, with both the Labor and Liberal parties winning 15 seats in the 30 seat assembly.

The 1955 election also saw the first women elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly: Mabel Miller for Franklin and Amelia Best for Wilmot (both representing the Liberal Party).^[1]

Tasmanian state election, 19 February 1955 House of Assembly << 1950 — 1956 >>
Enrolled voters		173,165
Votes cast		162,637		Turnout	93.92	–0.60
Informal votes		6,158		Informal	3.79	–0.69
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Labor	82,362	52.63	+4.00	15	± 0
	Liberal	70,959	45.35	–2.23	15	+ 1
	Independent	3,158	2.02	–1.72	0	– 1
Total		156,479			30

Distribution of Seats

Electorate Seats won Bass             Darwin             Denison             Franklin             Wilmot

Labor   Liberal

See also

• Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1955–1956
• Candidates of the Tasmanian state election, 1955

References

1. Tasmanian Parliamentary History - FAQ, Parliament of Tasmania.

External links

• Assembly Election Results, 1955, Parliament of Tasmania.
• Report on Parliamentary Elections, 1955, Tasmanian Electoral Commission.