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1955 Tasmanian state election

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All 30 seats to the House of Assembly
First party Second party   Leader Robert Cosgrove Rex Townley Party Labor Liberal Leader since 25 February 1948 6 February 1950 Leader's seat Denison Denison Last election 15 seats 14 seats Seats won 15 seats 15 seats Seat change 0 1 Percentage 52.63% 45.35% Swing 4.00 2.23
Results of the election
Premier before election Robert Cosgrove Labor Resulting Premier Robert Cosgrove Labor

The 1955 Tasmanian state election was held on 19 February 1955 in the Australian state of Tasmania to elect 30 members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The election used the Hare-Clark proportional representation system — six members were elected from each of five electorates.

The incumbent Labor government, led by Robert Cosgrove, had been in office continuously since 1934, although had not held a majority since 1946. It was looking to win another term in minority government against the opposition Liberal Party, on this occasion led by Rex Townley.

The election resulted in a parliamentary deadlock, with both the Labor and Liberal parties winning 15 seats in the 30 seat assembly.

The 1955 election also saw the first women elected to the House of Assembly: Mabel Miller for Franklin and Amelia Best for Wilmot, both members of the Liberal Party.

Results

Party		Votes	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Labor	82,362	52.63	+4.00	15
	Liberal	70,959	45.35	-2.23	15	1
	Independents	3,158	2.02	-1.72	0	1
Total		156,479	100.00	–	30	–
Valid votes		156,479	96.21
Invalid/blank votes		6,158	3.79	-0.69
Total votes		162,637	100.00	–
Registered voters/turnout		173,165	93.92	-0.60

Distribution of votes

Primary vote by division

Distribution of seats

See also

• Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1955–1956
• Candidates of the 1955 Tasmanian state election

References

1. House of Assembly Elections, Parliament of Tasmania.
2. Tasmanian Parliamentary History - FAQ, Parliament of Tasmania.

External links

• Assembly Election Results, 1955, Parliament of Tasmania.
• Report on Parliamentary Elections, 1955, Tasmanian Electoral Commission.

• Elections in Tasmania
• 1955 elections in Australia
• 1950s in Tasmania
• February 1955 events in Australia