December 10: Most Popular Federal Election Date

Today, December 10, is the single most popular day for federal elections in the history of the Australian federation.

Federal elections were held on this day in 1949, 1955 and 1977.

All three elections held on December 10 resulted in substantial victories to the Coalition.

In 1949, Robert Menzies swept the Chifley government out after 8 years of Labor rule.

In 1955, in the aftermath of the ALP Split, Menzies called an early election and won his fourth consecutive victory.

In 1977, Malcolm Fraser won a second term in office, defeating Gough Whitlam in a near-repeat of his 1975 landslide.

December is also the single most popular month for federal elections. Twelve of the 44 federal elections since 1901 (27%) have been held in December. The last was on December 1, 1984.

Two elections have been held on December 13, in 1919 and 1975. Two elections have also been held on December 16, in 1903 and 1922. Two elections have been held on August 21, in 1943 and 2010.


RUDD CALLS FEDERAL ELECTION FOR SEPTEMBER 7

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced a September 7 federal election.

A few minutes after seeing the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, at Government House, Yarralumla, the ALP sent an email to its members and supporters with the first official announcement of the date.

ALP email sent to members and supporters at 3.25pm today:

Email

[Read more…]


Rudd To Call September 7 Election Today, Reports Say

2.30pm – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is flying from Brisbane to Canberra this afternoon and is expected to announce a September 7 election in the next few hours.

The last election was held on August 21, 2010. The Parliament first met on September 28, 2010 and will expire on September 27, after which an election must be held by November 30. [Read more…]


Gillard Uses National Press Club Speech To Announce September 14 Election

This is the full text and audio of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s speech to the National Press Club in which she announced a federal election on September 14.

The speech was a major event to start the political year. Almost no-one predicted that she would announce a September election with such a long lead-time. [Read more…]