House Of Representatives Members – 23rd Parliament 1958-1961

This is the full list of members of the House of Representatives (23rd Parliament) elected on November 22, 1958.

The 1958 election was the fifth of nine victories for the coalition and the fifth of seven consecutive victories for Prime Minister Robert Menzies. It was the third consecutive defeat for ALP leader Dr H. V. Evatt. After its 10-seat gain in the 1955 election, held in the aftermath of the ALP Split, Menzies won another two seats from the ALP in 1958.

In a 122-seat House of Representatives, the Liberal Party won 58 seats (+1) and the Country Party 19 (+1), for a coalition total of 77. The ALP won 45 seats (-2). The government secured a majority of 32 (+2).

The Liberal Party won 37.23% of the primary vote (-2.50%), the Country Party 9.32% (+1.41%) and the ALP 42.81% (-1.82%). The estimated two-party-preferred vote for the coalition was 54.10%, with the ALP on 45.90%, a swing against the Coalition of 0.10%.

The newly-formed Democratic Labor Party polled 8.42% of the primary vote. Its preferences contributed to the Coalition’s win. In the Senate, the DLP now held two seats.

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 six by-elections during the life of the 23rd Parliament.

The ALP replaced its two sitting members in Hunter and Bendigo, including its ailing leader Evatt, who was appointed Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court.

The Country Party gained a seat when John England won Calare from the Liberal Party, following the resignation of John Howse.

The Liberal Party replaced Richard Casey with John Jess in La Trobe. Casey would go on to become Lord Casey and serve as Governor-General in the 1960s. In Balaclava, Ray Whittorn replaced Percy Joske. Don Chipp won Higinbotham, following the death of Frank Timson. Chipp would go on to become a Liberal minister before leaving the party in 1977 to form the Australian Democrats.

The table below shows 130 members, reflecting all who served in the parliament.

There are just two member of the 23rd Parliament still alive:

• Henry George Pearce, Liberal (Capricornia-Qld), 105. However, I am advised that Pearce’s whereabouts are unknown and he is likely deceased.
• Doug Anthony, Country Party (Richmond-NSW), 93

These are the most recent deaths of members of the 23rd Parliament:

• 2019: Dr Jim Forbes
• 2015: Malcolm Fraser, Les Johnson & Tom Uren
• 2014: Gough Whitlam
• 2009: Peter Howson & John Murray
• 2008: Frank Crean & Clyde Cameron
• 2007: Kim Beazley, Sr & Jim Killen
• 2006: Don Chipp, Allen Fairhall, Reg Swartz, Richard Cleaver & Bert James
• 2004: Noel Beaton
• 2003: Bill Wentworth, Dr Jim Cairns, John Jess & Charlie Jones
• 2002: John Howse & Doug Cash
• 2001: Gordon Freeth & Fred Chaney Sr.
• 2000: Peter Browne, Robert Lindsay & Ian Allan

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

• Links to other Parliamentary Lists