1889 New South Wales colonial election

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

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. 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'. 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.

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.

Key dates

Date	Event
19 January 1889	The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
25 January to 12 February 1889	Nominations for candidates for the election closed.
1 February to 16 February 1889	Polling days.
27 February 1889	Opening of new Parliament.

Results

New South Wales colonial election, 1 – 16 February 1889  Legislative Assembly << 1887–1891 >>
Enrolled voters
Votes cast		150,816		Turnout	59.93	+1.69
Informal votes		2,641		Informal	1.72	−0.02
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Protectionist	77,468	51.37	+18.48	66	+29
	Free Trade	73,348	48.63	−12.12	71	−8
Total		363,554			137

References

• "Former members of the New South Wales Parliament, 1856-2006". New South Wales Parliament.

See also

• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1889–1891
• Candidates of the 1889 New South Wales colonial election