1897 Victorian colonial election

The 1897 Victorian colonial election was held on 14 October 1897 to elect the 17th Parliament of Victoria. All 95 seats in the Legislative Assembly were up for election, though 13 were uncontested.[1]

1897 Victorian colonial election
14 October 1897
All 95 seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
  First party
 
Leader George Turner
Party Liberal
Leader's seat St Kilda
Premier before election

George Turner
Liberal

 Elected Premier

George Turner
Liberal

George Turner's Liberal government was returned with an increased majority.[2]

Background

Formal political parties began to evolve out of faction alignments at this election. The Protectionist and Liberal Party was formed to settle disputes between several Liberal candidates standing for the same seats.[1][3][4] The Oppositionists at this election were largely made up of Conservative MPs.[1]

The National Party supported Opposition candidates, although the party also endorsed several Ministerialists, including Alfred Deakin.[1]

Results
Legislative Assembly (FPTP)[1]
Party Votes  % Swing Seats Change
  Liberal Ministerialists[lower-alpha 1] 118,237 63.69 55
  Oppositionist 45,711 24.63 32
  United Labour 19,371 10.44 8
  Clerical Party 1,804 0.97 +0.97 0 Steady
  Independent 345 0.19 0
  People's Liberal and Independent Labor 152 0.08 +0.08 0 Steady
 Formal votes 185,620
 Informal votes 895
 Total 186,455 95
 Registered voters / turnout 254,155 63.41

Aftermath

In November 1899, Turner lost a vote of confidence when many rural Liberals abandoned him. Allan McLean, the member for Gippsland North, then formed a more conservative administration.[2] The McLean-led Ministerialists lost the 1900 election, and Turner returned to power.

Notes
  1. Includes Protectionist and Liberal candidates.

References
  1. "Election of 14 October 1897". The University of Western Australia.
  2. "THE SEVENTEENTH PARLIAMENT ELECTED 14 OCTOBER 1897". Psephos: Adam Carr's Electoral Archive.
  3. "THE PROTECTIONIST AND LIBERAL PARTY". Trove. The Age.
  4. "PROTECTIONIST and LIBERAL PARTY of VICTORIA". Trove. The Age.
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