In this article, we will explore the topic of 1946 Australian federal election in depth, analyzing its many facets and its impact on different aspects of daily life. From its origins to its relevance today, we will immerse ourselves in a journey through the history, advances, challenges and opportunities that 1946 Australian federal election presents in society. Through different perspectives, we will address its influence on culture, the economy, technology and interpersonal relationships, with the aim of fully understanding its importance and the implications it entails. Likewise, we will examine the different points of view and opinions of experts in the field, in order to offer a broad and complete vision about 1946 Australian federal election. Join us on this exciting journey to discover everything 1946 Australian federal election has to offer!
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All 75 seats of the House of Representatives 38 seats were needed for a majority in the House 19 (of the 36) seats of the Senate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Registered | 4,739,853 6.12% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turnout | 4,453,941 (93.97%) (2.35 pp) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results by division for the House of Representatives, shaded by winning party's margin of victory. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1946 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 28 September 1946. All 74 seats in the House of Representatives and 19 of the 36 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Labor Party led by Prime Minister Ben Chifley defeated the opposition Liberal–Country coalition, led by Robert Menzies. It was the Liberal Party's first federal election since its creation. This was the first time the Labor party had won a second consecutive election. This was also the last time the Labor party would win a federal election until the 1972 election.
The election was held in conjunction with three referendum questions, one of which was carried.
Party | Votes | % | Swing | Seats | Change | ||
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Labor | 2,159,953 | 49.71 | −0.22 | 43 | −6 | ||
Liberal–Country coalition | 1,896,349 | 43.65 | +13.20 | 29 | +6 | ||
Liberal | 1,431,682 | 32.95 | +11.05 | 18 | +4 | ||
Country | 464,667 | 10.70 | +2.16 | 11 | +2 | ||
Labor (Non-Communist) | 69,138 | 1.59 | +0.87 | 1 | +1 | ||
Communist | 64,811 | 1.49 | +1.49 | 0 | 0 | ||
Services | 55,140 | 1.27 | +1.27 | 0 | 0 | ||
Protestant People's | 20,111 | 0.46 | +0.46 | 0 | 0 | ||
Independents | 79,040 | 1.82 | −10.34 | 2 | -1 | ||
Total | 4,344,542 | 75 | |||||
Two-party-preferred (estimated) | |||||||
Labor | Win | 54.10 | −4.10 | 43 | −6 | ||
Liberal–Country coalition | 45.90 | +4.10 | 29 | +6 |
Party | Votes | % | Swing | Seats won | Seats held | Change | ||
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Labor | 2,133,272 | 52.06 | −3.02 | 16 | 33 | +11 | ||
Liberal–Country coalition | 1,775,022 | 43.33 | +5.18 | 3 | 3 | –11 | ||
Liberal–Country joint ticket | 1,561,718 | 38.12 | N/A | 3 | N/A | N/A | ||
Liberal | 213,304 | 5.21 | N/A | 0 | 2 | –10 | ||
Country | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 | –1 | ||
Protestant People's | 123,541 | 3.02 | +3.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Services | 37,724 | 0.92 | +0.92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Independents | 27,767 | 0.68 | –3.83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 4,097,326 | 19 | 36 |
Seat | Pre-1946 | Swing | Post-1946 | ||||||
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Party | Member | Margin | Margin | Member | Party | ||||
Bourke, Vic | Labor | Bill Bryson | 3.6 | 4.7 | 1.1 | Doris Blackburn | Independent | ||
Calare, NSW | Labor | John Breen | 9.9 | 11.7 | 1.8 | John Howse | Liberal | ||
Capricornia, Qld | Labor | Frank Forde | 5.9 | 8.8 | 2.9 | Charles Davidson | Liberal | ||
Franklin, Tas | Labor | Charles Frost | 9.9 | 10.0 | 0.1 | Bill Falkinder | Liberal | ||
Henty, Vic | Independent | Arthur Coles | 5.5 | 9.8 | 4.3 | Jo Gullett | Liberal | ||
Reid, NSW | Labor | Charles Morgan | N/A | 7.4 | 4.2 | Jack Lang | Lang Labor | ||
Swan, WA | Labor | Don Mountjoy | 3.0 | 3.2 | 0.2 | Len Hamilton | Country | ||
Wakefield, SA | Labor | Albert Smith | 1.2 | 3.9 | 2.7 | Philip McBride | Liberal | ||
Wilmot, Tas | Liberal | Allan Guy | 1.7 | 3.4 | 1.7 | Gil Duthie | Labor |