1896 Queensland colonial election

Elections were held in the Colony of Queensland between 10 March 1896 and 11 April 1896 to elect the members of the colony’s Legislative Assembly.

1896 Queensland colonial election

← 1893 10 March – 11 April 1896 1899 →
All 72 seats in the Legislative Assembly 37 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Hugh Nelson Thomas Glassey J. G. Drake Party Ministerial Labour Opposition Leader since 29 June 1896 Leader's seat Murilla Bundaberg Enoggera Last election 42 seats, 44.78% 16 seats, 33.32% 7 seats, 9.17% Seats won 41 20 8 Seat change 1 4 1 Popular vote 39,088 28,581 8,472 Percentage 47.82% 34.97% 10.37% Swing 3.04 1.65 1.19
Legislative Assembly after the election
Premier before election Hugh Nelson Ministerial Elected Premier Hugh Nelson Ministerial

This election used contingent voting, at least in the single-member districts.^[1]

Five districts were two-seat districts - Mackay, Marlborough, North Brisbane, Rockhampton and South Brisbane. In the two-member constituencies, plurality block voting was used -- electors could cast two valid votes but were allowed to "plump".^[2]

Key dates

Due to problems of distance and communications, it was not possible to hold the elections on a single day.^[3]

Results

↓ 

41	20	8	3
Ministerialists	Labour	Opposition	Other

Queensland state election, 11 March 1896[4] Legislative Assembly << 1893–1899 >>
Enrolled voters		86,882
Votes cast		61,453		Turnout	76.84
Informal votes		765		Informal
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Ministerialist	39,088	47.82	+3.04	41	–2
	Labour	28,581	34.97	+1.65	20	+4
	Opposition	8,472	10.37	+1.19	8	+1
	Independent	3,608	4.41	–5.72	2	–5
	Farmers' Representative	1,985	2.43	+0.85	1	+1
Total		81,734			72

See also

• Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1896–1899