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1979 Australian Capital Territory general election

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1979 Australian Capital Territory
general election

← 1974 2 June 1979 1982 →
Turnout90.0% (Decrease 2.0)
  First party Second party
 
Leader Peter Vallee Jim Leedman
Party Labor Liberal
Leader since January 1977
Leader's seat Fraser Canberra
Seats won 8 4
Seat change Increase 4 Decrease 3
Percentage 37.4% 18.5%
Swing Increase 15.2 Decrease 12.3

  Third party Fourth party
 
DEM
FAM
Leader Gordon Walsh Bev Cains
Party Democrats Family Team
Leader's seat Canberra Canberra
(won seat)
Last election Did not contest Did not contest
Seats before 1 0
Seats won 2 1
Seat change Increase 2 Increase 3
Percentage 6.5%
Swing Increase 6.5

The 1979 Australian Capital Territory general election was held on 2 June 1979 to elect all 18 members of the House of Assembly, the main elected representative body of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This was the first election for the House after it had been renamed from Legislative Assembly.[1]

The election saw a swing of 15% towards the Labor Party, while the conservative Family Team won its first seat. The Australian Democrats also contested for the first time, winning two seats.[2][3]

Background

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As preparations were still being made for the granting of self-government to the ACT, the House served a largely advisory role, with most powers over the ACT still lying in the hands of the relevant federal minister through the life of the Assembly.[4]

Nine members were elected by single transferable vote proportional representation from each of the ACT's two federal House of Representatives divisions, making 18 in total. Independent members who vacated mid-term were replaced by recounting their original votes to their next preferences to choose a runner-up. Members endorsed by a political party were replaced by a nominee of that party.

Results

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Vote totals

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House of Assembly (STV/PR)
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
  Labor 37.4 +15.2 8 Increase 4
  Liberal 18.5 –12.3 4 Decrease 3
  Democrats 6.5 +6.5 2 Increase 2
  Family Team 1 Increase 1
  Unemployed Workers Union 0 Steady
  Independents 3 Decrease 1
 Formal votes 90.0 –2.0
 Informal votes 10.0 +7.0
 Total 100.0
 Registered voters / turnout 90.0 –2.0

Distribution of seats

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References

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  1. ^ "HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY VOTE 15pc ALP swinh first count". Trove. The Canberra Times.
  2. ^ "Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly Elections – Division of Fraser". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Special. No. S113. Australia. 20 June 1979. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Australian Democrats: Our History".
  4. ^ "The road to self-government". Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. 25 April 2020.