House Of Representatives Members – 19th Parliament 1949-1951

This is the full list of members of the House of Representatives (19th Parliament) elected on December 10, 1949.

The election marked a turning point in Australian politics. It ushered in the Liberal-Country Party coalition government of Robert Menzies that was in office for the next 23 years, winning nine elections. Menzies was prime minister for 16 years, until January 26, 1966.

The size of the House of Representatives was increased from 75 to 121 for the 1949 election, the first increase since Federation in 1901.

The Liberal Party won 55 seats (+40) and the Country Party 19 (+8), for a coalition total of 74. The ALP won 47 (+4). The new government had a majority of 27.

The Liberal Party won 39.39% of the primary vote (+10.18%), the Country Party 10.87% (+0.17%) and the ALP 45.98% (-3.73%). The estimated two-party-preferred vote for the coalition was 51.00%, a swing of 5.10%.

The members for the Northern Territory (Jock Nelson-ALP) and the Australian Capital Territory (Lewis Nott-Ind) 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 no by-elections during the life of the 45th Parliament.

There are now just two members of the 19th Parliament still alive, both Liberals: Henry George Pearce (Capricornia-Qld), 105, and Bill Grayden (Swan-WA), 102.

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 19th Parliament were:

• 2008: Clyde Cameron
• 2007: Kim Beazley
• 2006: Allen Fairhall & Reg Swartz
• 2004: William Lawrence
• 2003: Willam Charles Wentworth
• 2002: John Howse
• 2001: Gordon Freeth

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

• Links to other Parliamentary Lists