1956 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

1956 Australian Labor Party
Leadership spill

16 February 1956

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

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

The following table gives the ballot results:

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

See also

• Australian Labor Party split of 1955
• 1955 Australian federal election

References

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.