The Electoral district of Port Phillip was an electorate of the New South Wales Legislative Council before it became the separate colony of Victoria (Australia) on 1 July 1851. At the time, some members of the Council were elected and the balance were appointed by the Governor. The Town of Melbourne returned one member while the Port Phillip district, which covered the rest of what became Victoria after its separation in 1851, returned five members.[1]
History
Settlers of the Port Phillip District had wanted representation in the New South Wales Legislative Council for some time. In 1843 representatives were elected; "But the colonists were not satisfied with government from and by Sydney".[2]
Sir Thomas Mitchell, while an elected member was also the Surveyor General. He was criticised by GovernorSir George Gipps for not supporting the government by absenting himself from the Legislative Council when he did not agree with government measures. Mitchell chose to resign his seat.[27]
The original polling day was 27 July;[36] however, no candidates were nominated for Port Phillip as a result of the campaign for independence from New South Wales.[37] A further writ was issued on 25 August.[38]