1904 New South Wales state election

The 1904 New South Wales state election was held on 6 August 1904 for all of the 90 seats in the 20th New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in single-member constituencies with a first past the post voting system. For the first time, women were entitled to vote. Both adult males and females were entitled to vote, but not Indigenous people. The 19th parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 16 July 1904 by the Governor, Sir Harry Rawson, on the advice of the Premier, Thomas Waddell.^[1][2][3]

1904 New South Wales state election

← 1901 6 August 1904 (1904-08-06) 1907 →
All 90 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 46 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Sir Joseph Carruthers James McGowen Thomas Waddell Party Liberal Reform Labor Electoral League Progressive Leader since 18 September 1902 August 1894 15 June 1904 Leader's seat St George Redfern Cowra (contesting Belubula) Last election 37 seats 24 seats 42 seats Seats won 45 seats 25 seats 16 seats Seat change 8 1 26 Percentage 44.58% 23.30% 18.98% Swing 11.03 4.86 4.01
Legislative Assembly after the election
Premier before election Thomas Waddell Progressive Elected Premier Sir Joseph Carruthers Liberal Reform

This election saw the size of the Legislative Assembly reduced from 125 to 90 seats as a result of the 1903 New South Wales referendum.^[4]

Key dates

Date	Event
16 July 1904	The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
26 July 1904	Nominations for candidates for the election closed at noon.
6 August 1904	Polling day.
23 August 1904	Opening of 20th Parliament.
29 August 1904	Carruthers ministry sworn in.

Results

Main article: Results of the 1904 New South Wales state election

New South Wales state election, 6 August 1904 [1] Legislative Assembly << 1901–1907 >>
Enrolled voters		689,490
Votes cast		396,622		Turnout	59.31	−3.53
Informal votes		3,973		Informal	0.99	+0.21
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Liberal Reform	176,796	44.58	+11.03	45	+8
	Labour	92,426	23.30	+4.86	25	+1
	Progressive	75,297	18.98	−4.01	16	−26
	Independent	25,605	6.46	−4.62	2	−10
	Independent Liberal	21,189	5.34	−3.26	2	−2
	Other	5,309	1.34	−4.01	0	−6
Total					90	-35

Popular vote Liberal Reform   44.58% Labor   23.30% Progressive   18.98% Independent   6.46% Ind. Liberal   5.34% Others   1.34% Parliamentary seats Liberal Reform   45 Labor   25 Progressive   16 Independent   2 Ind. Liberal   2

Retiring members

This section is an excerpt from Candidates of the 1904 New South Wales state election § Retiring members.[edit]

Orange Liberal MLA Harry Newman died on 1 June. Deniliquin Independent MLA Joseph Evans died on 5 July. Due to the proximity of the election, no by-elections were held.

Progressive

• Albert Chapman MLA (Braidwood)
• William Davis MLA (Bourke)
• James Gormly MLA (Wagga Wagga) — appointed to the Legislative Council.^[5]
• James Hayes MLA (Murray) — appointed to the Legislative Council.^[5]
• William Hurley MLA (Macquarie) — appointed to the Legislative Council.^[5]
• Daniel O'Connor MLA (Sydney-Phillip)
• Sir John See MLA (Grafton) — appointed to the Legislative Council.^[5]

Liberal

• Samuel Whiddon MLA (Sydney-Cook)

Labor

• John Power MLA (Sydney-Lang) — lost preselection

Independent

• Frank Byrne MLA (Hay)
• Thomas Griffith MLA (Albury)
• Edward Terry MLA (Ryde)

See also

• Candidates of the 1904 New South Wales state election
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1904–1907