1894 New South Wales colonial election

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.

1894 New South Wales colonial election

← 1891 17 July 1894 (1894-07-17) 1895 →
All 125 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 63 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   LEL Leader George Reid George Dibbs No leader Party Free Trade Protectionist Labour Leader since September 1891 January 1889 N/A Leader's seat East Sydney (won Sydney-King) Murrumbidgee (won Tamworth) N/A Last election 44 seats 52 seats 35 seats Seats won 50 37 15 Seat change 6 15 20 Percentage 30.34% 27.69% 16.49% Swing 6.15 8.81 4.13
Results of the election, showing the winning vote share of the elected member.
Premier before election George Dibbs Protectionist Premier after election George Reid Free Trade

This election saw the elimination of multi-member districts. At the previous election there had been 20 two-member districts, 10 three-member districts, and 9 four-member districts. Their elimination also saw the Assembly reduced in size from 141 to 125 members. Also, for the first time, the election was conducted on the one day.^[1][2][3]

Although he had lost control of the Assembly, Dibbs did not resign until after parliament had reconvened, when the Governor forced his hand.^[4]

Key dates

Date	Event
25 June 1894	The Legislative Assembly dissolved, and writs issued by the Governor to proceed with an election
9 – 14 July 1894	Close of nominations for candidates
17 July 1894	Polling day
7 August 1894	Opening of 16th Parliament

Results

Main article: Results of the 1894 New South Wales colonial election

New South Wales colonial election, 17 July 1894 [3] Legislative Assembly << 1891–1895 >>
Enrolled voters		255,802
Votes cast		200,956		Turnout	78.56	+19.48
Informal votes		3,310		Informal	1.62	−0.38
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Free Trade	60,966	30.34	−6.15	50	+6
	Protectionist	55,652	27.69	−8.81	37	−15
	Labor	33,143	16.49	−4.13	15	−20
	Ind. Free Trade	23,324	11.61	+7.91	11	+7
	Ind. Protectionist	14,434	7.18	+5.17	4	±0
	Independent Labor	11,504	5.72	+5.30	8	+7
	Independent	1,933	0.96	−0.71	0	−1
Total		200,956			125

Popular vote Free Trade   30.34% Protectionist   27.69% Labor   16.49% Ind. Free Trade   11.61% Ind. Protectionist   7.18% Ind. Labor   5.72% Independent   0.96% Parliamentary seats Free Trade   50 Protectionist   37 Labor   15 Ind. Free Trade   11 Ind. Labor   8 Ind. Protectionist   4

Retiring members

This section is an excerpt from Candidates of the 1894 New South Wales colonial election § Retiring members.[edit]

Protectionist

• Robert Barbour MLA (Murray)
• James Torpy MLA (Orange)

Free Trade

• William A'Beckett MLA (Bogan)
• Robert Booth MLA (Bogan)
• David Dale MLA (Central Cumberland)
• James Eve MLA (Canterbury)
• William Holborow MLA (Argyle)
• James Inglis MLA (New England)
• James Marks MLA (Paddington)
• Bruce Smith MLA (Glebe)
• Robert Wilkinson MLA (Balranald)

Independent

• Jack Want MLA (Paddington) – Independent Free Trade
• Thomas Williams MLA (Upper Hunter) – Independent Labor

See also

• Candidates of the 1894 New South Wales colonial election
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1894–1895