1987 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

Liberal Party of Australia
leadership election, 1987

18 July 1987

Candidate John Howard Andrew Peacock Caucus vote 41 28 Percentage 59.4% 40.6% Seat Bennelong (NSW) Kooyong (Vic.)

Leader before election John Howard Elected Leader John Howard

A spill of the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia took place on 18 July 1987, following John Howard's loss in the 1987 federal election by previous leader Andrew Peacock. The spill was won by Howard against Peacock by 41 votes to 28.^[1]

Peacock was then elected deputy leader with 36 votes over Fred Chaney with 24, Michael MacKellar with 6 and John Moore with 3.^[1]

Background

Candidates

• John Howard, incumbent Leader, Member for Bennelong
• Andrew Peacock, former Leader, Member for Kooyong

Results

Liberal Party of Australia
deputy leadership ballot, 1987

Candidate Andrew Peacock Fred Chaney Caucus vote 36 (52.2%) 24 (34.8%) Seat Kooyong (Vic.) Senator for Western Australia   Candidate Michael MacKellar John Moore Caucus vote 6 (8.7%) 3 (4.4%) Seat Warringah (NSW) Ryan (Qld.)

Deputy Leader before election Neil Brown Elected Deputy Leader Andrew Peacock

The following tables gives the ballot results:

Leadership ballot

Candidate		Final ballot	%
	John Howard	41	59.4
	Andrew Peacock	28	40.6

Deputy leadership ballot

Candidate		Final ballot	%
	Andrew Peacock	36	52.2
	Fred Chaney	24	34.8
	Michael MacKellar	6	8.7
	John Moore	3	4.4

Other candidates in order of elimination:^[2]

• John Spender
• David Connolly
• Peter Shack
• Ian Wilson
• Neil Brown
• Harry Edwards
• Wilson Tuckey

Aftermath

References

1. Middleton, Karen (18 July 1987). "The Liberal leadership Blow-by-blow in the corridors of power". The Canberra Times. p. 6.
2. "'Liberals want monumental assurances' from NP before coalition". Canberra Times. 18 July 1987.