House Of Representatives Members – 22nd Parliament 1955-1958

This is the full list of members of the House of Representatives (22nd Parliament) elected on December 10, 1955.

The 1955 election was the fourth of nine victories for the coalition and the fourth of seven consecutive victories for Robert Menzies. It took place in the aftermath of the ALP Split. The ALP lost 10 seats and the Menzies government was comfortably re-elected, restoring its 1949 majority.

In a 122-seat House of Representatives, the Liberal Party won 57 seats (+10) and the Country Party 18 (+1), for a coalition total of 75. The ALP won 47 seats (-10). The government secured a majority of 28 (+11).

The Liberal Party won 39.73% of the primary vote (+1.43%), the Country Party 7.90% (-0.61%) and the ALP 44.63% (-5.40%). The estimated two-party-preferred vote for the coalition was 54.20%, with the ALP on 45.80%, a swing against it of 4.90%.

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.

There were five by-elections during the life of the 22nd Parliament.

The ALP’s Billy Davies died and was replaced by Victor Kearney in Cunningham. Kearney was the last member with full voting rights to be elected unopposed.

The Country Party’s Larry Anthony died and was replaced by his son, Doug Anthony in Richmond. Anthony is now 93 and is one of only three surviving ministers from the Menzies years.

The Liberal Party replaced three of its members in by-elections. When Archie Cameron, the former Country Party leader who switched to the Liberal Party, died in 1956, his seat of Barker was won by Jim Forbes. Forbes is now 99 and is one of only four surviving MPs from the 1950s and one of only three surviving ministers from the Menzies period.

Eric Harrison, the deputy leader of the Liberal Party, resigned in 1956. His seat of Wentworth was won by Les Bury.

Following the retirement of Howard Beale in 1958, his electorate of Parramatta was won by Garfield Barwick, who would go on to be Attorney-General under Menzies and then Chief Justice of the High Court.

The table below shows 129 members, reflecting all who served in the parliament.

There are just two members of the 22nd Parliament still alive. The Liberal Party’s Henry George Pearce (Capricornia-Qld) is 105. However, I am advised that Pearce’s whereabouts are unknown and it is likely that he is deceased.

The next oldest member is the Country Party’s Doug Anthony (Richmond-NSW), 93.

The most recent deaths of members of the 22nd Parliament have been:
– 2019: Dr Jim Forbes (Liberal)
– 2015: Malcolm Fraser (Liberal); Les Johnson (ALP)
– 2009: Peter Howson (Liberal)
– 2008: Frank Crean (ALP); Clyde Cameron (ALP)
– 2007: Kim Beazley, Sr. (ALP); Jim Killen (Liberal)
– 2006: Allen Fairhall (Liberal); Reg Swartz (Liberal)
– 2004: William Lawrence (Liberal)
– 2003: Bill Wentworth (Liberal); Dr Jim Cairns (ALP)
– 2002: John Howse (Liberal)
– 2001: Gordon Freeth (Liberal); Fred Chaney Sr. (Liberal)
– 2000: Harry Webb (ALP); Robert Lindsay (Liberal); Ian Allan (Country)

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

• Links to other Parliamentary Lists