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1956 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

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1956 Australian Labor Party
Leadership spill

← 1954 16 February 1956 1959 →
 
Candidate H. V. Evatt Allan Fraser
Caucus vote 58 (74.4%) 20 (25.6%)

Leader before election

H. V. Evatt

Elected Leader

H. V. Evatt

A leadership spill of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 16 February 1956.

Background

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Labor frontbencher Allan Fraser unsuccessfully challenged ALP leader H. V. Evatt. Fraser was a known maverick who thought Evatt unelectable, and was derisive of his handling of the Industrial Groups and the ensuing "split" in the Labor Party.[1]

Evatt was re-elected comfortably by 58 votes to 20. Arthur Calwell was re-elected deputy leader, securing 42 votes against 20 for Eddie Ward and 14 for Les Haylen.[2]

Results

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The following table gives the ballot results:

Name Votes Percentage
H. V. Evatt 58 74.35
Allan Fraser 20 25.65

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lloyd, C. J. "Fraser, Allan Duncan (1902 - 1977)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  2. ^ "Dr. Evatt Retains Lab. Leadership". The Central Queensland Herald. 16 February 1956. p. 17.