1889 New South Wales colonial election

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.^[1] Part 1 (section 13) 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'.^[2] 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.^[1][3][4]

1889 New South Wales colonial election

← 1887 1 February 1889 – 16 February 1889 1891 →
All 137 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 69 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Sir Henry Parkes George Dibbs Party Free Trade Protectionist Leader since 1886 17 January 1889 Leader's seat St Leonards Murrumbidgee Last election 79 seats 37 seats Seats won 71 seats 66 seats Seat change 8 29 Percentage 48.63% 51.37% Swing 12.12 18.48
Results of the election, showing winners in each seat. Seats without circles indicate the electorate returned one member.
Premier before election George Dibbs Protectionist Elected Premier Sir Henry Parkes Free Trade

Dibbs had assumed office shortly before the election after the previous Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, lost a vote on the floor of the Assembly. Dibbs' Protectionists never commanded a majority on the floor of the Assembly in this period.

Key dates

Date	Event
19 January 1889	The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
25 January to 12 February 1889	Nominations for candidates for the election closed.
1 February to 16 February 1889	Polling days.
27 February 1889	Opening of new Parliament.
8 March 1889	Fifth Parkes ministry sworn in.

Results

Main article: Results of the 1889 New South Wales colonial election

New South Wales colonial election, 1 – 16 February 1889 [1] Legislative Assembly << 1887–1891 >>
Enrolled voters
Votes cast		150,816		Turnout	59.93	+1.69
Informal votes		2,641		Informal	1.72	−0.02
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Protectionist	77,468	51.37	+18.48	66	+29
	Free Trade	73,348	48.63	−12.12	71	−8
	Other			–6.36	0	-8
Total		363,554			137

Popular vote Protectionist   51.37% Free Trade   48.63% Parliamentary seats Free Trade   71 Protectionist   66

Retiring members

This section is an excerpt from Candidates of the 1889 New South Wales colonial election § Retiring Members.[edit]

Protectionist

• Frederick Crouch MLA (Richmond)
• John Gale MLA (Murray)
• Robert Smith MLA (Macleay)

Free Trade

• Angus Cameron MLA (Kiama)
• William Cortis MLA (Bathurst)
• William Davis MLA (Canterbury)
• William Henson MLA (Canterbury)
• Isaac Ives MLA (St Leonards)
• Alexander Kethel MLA (West Sydney)
• William Martin MLA (Shoalhaven)
• George Matheson MLA (Glen Innes)
• John McElhone MLA (Upper Hunter)
• George Merriman MLA (West Sydney)
• Samuel Moore MLA (Inverell)
• Joseph Penzer MLA (Bogan)
• Fergus Smith MLA (West Macquarie)
• William Wilkinson MLA (Glebe)
• Alexander Wilson MLA (Bourke)
• George Withers MLA (South Sydney)