1889 New South Wales colonial election

The 1889 New South Wales colonial election was held between 1 February and 16 February 1889. This election was for all of the 137 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 37 single-member constituencies, nineteen 2-member constituencies, ten 3-member constituencies and eight 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system.[1] Part 1 (section 13) of the Electoral Act of 1880 had awarded the right to vote to 'every male subject of Her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years and absolutely free being a natural born or naturalized'.[2] The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 19 January 1889 by the Governor, Lord Carrington, on the advice of the Premier, George Dibbs.[1][3][4]

1889 New South Wales colonial election

1 February 1889 – 16 February 1889
All 137 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 69 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Sir Henry Parkes George Dibbs Party Free Trade Protectionist Leader since 1886 17 January 1889 Leader's seat St Leonards Murrumbidgee Last election 79 seats 37 seats Seats won 71 seats 66 seats Seat change 8 29 Percentage 48.63% 51.37% Swing 12.12 18.48
Legislative Assembly after the election
Premier before election George Dibbs Protectionist Elected Premier Sir Henry Parkes Free Trade

Dibbs had assumed office shortly before the election after the previous Premier, Sir Henry Parkes, lost a vote on the floor of the Assembly. Dibbs' Protectionists never commanded a majority on the floor of the Assembly in this period.