House Of Representatives Members – 21st Parliament 1954-1955

This is the full list of members of the House of Representatives (21st Parliament) elected on May 29, 1954.

The 1954 election was the third of nine victories for the coalition and the third of seven consecutive victories for Robert Menzies. It took place amidst the controversy surrounding the defection of the Russian diplomat, Vladimir Petrov. Despite losing, the ALP, led by Dr H.V. Evatt, outpolled the Coalition on primary and two-party-preferred votes.

In a 121-seat House of Representatives, the Liberal Party won 47 seats (-5) and the Country Party 17 (-), for a coalition total of 64. The ALP won 57 seats (+5). The government secured a majority of 7 (-5).

The Liberal Party won 38.31% of the primary vote (-2.31%), the Country Party 8.52% (-1.20%) and the ALP 50.03% (+2.40%). The estimated two-party-preferred vote for the coalition was 49.30%, a swing against it of 1.40%, with the ALP on 50.70%.

The members for the Northern Territory (Jock Nelson-ALP) and the Australian Capital Territory (Jim Fraser-ALP) did not have voting rights, other than on matters affecting their territory. They are counted as members on the list below but not included in the seat tallies shown above.

The election was for the House alone. Because of the 1951 double dissolution, a half-Senate election had to be held in 1953. The House and Senate elections came back into alignment at the election in December 1955, when Menzies took the House out early.

There was one by-election during the life of the 21st Parliament. The ALP’s Tom Sheehan died in March 1955 and was replaced by Jim Cope as the member for Cook. Cope went on to become the Speaker of the House during the Whitlam government. The table below shows 124 members, reflecting all who served in the parliament.

During the life of the 21st Parliament, the ALP split over the issue of communism and the activities of the Industrial Groups. Seven members of the ALP were expelled from the party. They are listed separately below. All were defeated at the 1955 election called by Menzies to capitalise on the split.

There is just one member of the 21st Parliament still alive, the Liberal Party’s Henry George Pearce (Capricornia-Qld). He is currently 105. However, I am advised that Pearce’s whereabouts are unknown and it is likely that he is deceased.

The most recent deaths of members of the 21st Parliament have been:
– 2014: Gough Whitlam (ALP)
– 2008: Frank Crean (ALP); Clyde Cameron (ALP)
– 2007: Kim Beazley, Sr. (ALP)
– 2006: Allen Fairhall (Lib); Reg Swartz (Lib)
– 2004: William Lawrence (Lib)
– 2003: Bill Wentworth (Lib)
– 2002: John Howse (Lib)
– 2001: Gordon Freeth (Lib)
– 2000: Harry Webb (ALP); Robert Lindsay (Lib); Ian Allan (CP)

The table below lists members by their party affiliation, seat, term and age.

• Links to other Parliamentary Lists