1897 Victorian colonial election

1897 Victorian colonial election

14 October 1897
All 95 seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
First party Second party   Leader George Turner William Trenwith Party Liberal United Labour Leader since 27 September 1894 (de facto) 21 April 1892 (de facto) Leader's seat St Kilda Richmond Seats won 55 8 Percentage 63.69% 10.44%
Premier before election George Turner Liberal Elected Premier George Turner Liberal

The 1897 Victorian colonial election was held on 14 October 1897 to elect the 17th Parliament of Victoria. All 95 seats in the Legislative Assembly were up for election, though 13 were uncontested.

George Turner's Liberal government was returned with an increased majority.

Background

Formal political parties began to evolve out of faction alignments at this election. The Protectionist and Liberal Party was formed to settle disputes between several Liberal candidates standing for the same seats. The Oppositionists at this election were largely made up of Conservative MPs.

The National Party supported Opposition candidates, although the party also endorsed several Ministerialists, including Alfred Deakin.

Results

Legislative Assembly (FPTP)

Party			Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Liberal Ministerialists		118,237	63.69		55
	Oppositionist		45,711	24.63		32
	United Labour		19,371	10.44		8
	Clerical Party		1,804	0.97	+0.97	0
	Independent		345	0.19		0
	People's Liberal and Independent Labor		152	0.08	+0.08	0
Formal votes			185,620
Informal votes			895
Total			186,455			95
Registered voters / turnout			254,155	63.41

Aftermath

In November 1899, Turner lost a vote of confidence when many rural Liberals abandoned him. Allan McLean, the member for Gippsland North, then formed a more conservative administration. The McLean-led Ministerialists lost the 1900 election, and Turner returned to power.