A leadership spill of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 16 February 1956.

Background

Labor frontbencher Allan Fraser unsuccessfully challenged ALP leader H. V. Evatt. Fraser was a known maverick who thought Evatt unelectable, and was derisive of his handling of the Industrial Groups and the ensuing "split" in the Labor Party.

Evatt was re-elected comfortably by 58 votes to 20. Arthur Calwell was re-elected deputy leader, securing 42 votes against 20 for Eddie Ward and 14 for Les Haylen.

Results

The following table gives the ballot results:

See also

  • Australian Labor Party split of 1955
  • 1955 Australian federal election

References


Australian Labor Party Wikipedia

Australian Labor Party (ALP) History for Today

Labor leadership spill the rules of the game

3. The Australian Labor Party home page (October 1996). Source Wayback

Why the Australian Labor Party didn't adopt the…