1948 Tasmanian state election

The 1948 Tasmanian state election was held on 21 August 1948 in the Australian state of Tasmania to elect 30 members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The election used the Hare-Clark proportional representation system^[1] — six members were elected from each of five electorates.

1948 Tasmanian state election

← 1946 21 August 1948 1950 →
All 30 seats to the House of Assembly
First party Second party   Leader Robert Cosgrove Neil Campbell Party Labor Liberal Leader since 25 February 1948 February 1945 Leader's seat Denison Wilmot Last election 16 seats 12 seats Seats won 15 seats 12 seats Seat change 1 0 Percentage 49.38% 37.84% Swing 1.59 3.59
Results of the election
Premier before election Robert Cosgrove Labor Elected Premier Robert Cosgrove Labor

In December 1947, Labor leader Robert Cosgrove had stood down as Premier while he faced charges of bribery, corruption and conspiracy. Cosgrove was acquitted of all charges on 22 February 1948, and was re-elected as Premier by the caucus, taking over from Edward Brooker who had filled in for him for three months. Brooker died on 18 June, four months after handing the premiership back to Cosgrove, and two months prior to the 1948 election.^[2]

On 8 July, the Legislative Council voted to grant the House of Assembly two months supply provided an election was called after that time. The election was fought mainly on constitutional issues.^[2]

Labor lost its slender one seat majority, winning 15 seats out of 30, although they regained government and Cosgrove remained as Premier after receiving the support of one of the Independent members, Bill Wedd.^[2]

Results

See also: Results of the Tasmanian state election, 1948

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Labor	70,476	49.44	-1.59	15	1
	Liberal	54,010	37.89	+3.59	12
	Ind. Lib.	9,729	6.83	-1.96	1
	Independents	8,330	5.84	-0.17	2	1
Total		142,545	100.00	–	30	–
Valid votes		142,545	96.05
Invalid/blank votes		5,866	3.95	-6.13
Total votes		148,411	100.00	–
Registered voters/turnout		161,088	92.13	+1.17

Distribution of votes

Primary vote by division

	Bass	Darwin	Denison	Franklin	Wilmot
Labor Party	55.9%	47.7%	44.5%	47.8%	51.7%
Liberal Party	44.1%	45.7%	20.9%	33.8%	45.8%
Other	–	6.6%	34.6%	18.4%	2.5%

Distribution of seats

Electorate Seats won Bass             Darwin             Denison             Franklin             Wilmot

Labor   Liberal   Ind. Lib.   Independent

See also

• Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1948–1950
• Candidates of the 1948 Tasmanian state election