1898 New South Wales colonial election

The 1898 New South Wales colonial election was held on 27 July 1898 for all of the 125 seats in the 18th New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in single-member constituencies with a first past the post voting system. Section 23 (1) of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act of 1893 conferred a right to vote on 'every male person, being a natural born [British] subject, who shall have resided or had his principal place of abode in New South Wales for a continuous period of one year'. The 18th parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 8 July 1898 by the Governor, Lord Hampden, on the advice of the Premier, George Reid.[1][2]

1898 New South Wales colonial election

27 July 1898 (1898-07-27)
All 125 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 63 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader William Lyne George Reid James McGowen Party National Federal Free Trade Labor Electoral League Leader since 1895 September 1891 August 1894 Leader's seat Hume Sydney-King Redfern Last election 42 seats 58 seats 18 seats Seats won 52 seats 45 seats 19 seats Seat change 10 13 1 Percentage 43.03% 32.89 12.18% Swing 9.60 4.26 1.02
Legislative Assembly after the election
Premier before election George Reid Free Trade Elected Premier George Reid Free Trade

The Protectionist Party, the main Opposition, contested this election under the name "National Federal Party", reflecting the party's focus on Federation as an issue at the election.