1941 South Australian state election

State elections were held in South Australia on 29 March 1941. All 39 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly were up for election. The incumbent Liberal and Country League government led by Premier of South Australia Thomas Playford IV defeated the opposition Australian Labor Party led by Leader of the Opposition Robert Richards.

1941 South Australian state election

← 1938 29 March 1941 (1941-03-29) 1944 →
All 39 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly 20 seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Thomas Playford Robert Richards Party Liberal and Country League Labor Leader since 5 November 1938 1 April 1938 Leader's seat Gumeracha Wallaroo Last election 15 seats 9 seats Seats won 20 seats 11 seats Seat change 5 2 Percentage 37.55% 33.25% Swing 4.12 7.08
Premier before election Thomas Playford Liberal and Country League Elected Premier Thomas Playford Liberal and Country League

Background

Though the LCL was in minority government with 15 of 39 seats following the 1938 election, where 14 of 39 lower house MPs were elected as independents which as a grouping won more than either major party with 40 percent of the primary vote, the Playford LCL won a one-seat majority government following the 1941 election.

Turnout crashed to a record-low 50 percent, triggering the government to institute compulsory voting from the 1944 election.

Results

Arrangement of the House of Assembly after the 1941 state election.

South Australian state election, 29 March 1941[1] House of Assembly << 1938–1944 >>
Enrolled voters		339,263
Votes cast		171,978		Turnout	50.69%	-12.62%
Informal votes		3,365		Informal	1.96%	-0.20%
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Liberal and Country	63,317	37.55%	+4.12%	20	+ 5
	Labor	56,062	33.25%	+7.08%	11	+ 2
	Independent	41,487	24.60%	–9.48%	5	– 7
	Independent Labor	5,090	3.02%	–2.63%	2	± 0
	Independent Liberal	2,657	1.58%	*	1	+ 1
Total		168,613			39

See also

• Results of the South Australian state election, 1941 (House of Assembly)
• Members of the South Australian House of Assembly, 1941-1944
• Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1941–1944
• Playmander