1976 Tasmanian state election

The Tasmanian state election, 1976 was held on 11 December 1976 in the Australian state of Tasmania to elect 35 members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. The election used the Hare-Clark proportional representation system[1] — seven members were elected from each of five electorates.

1976 Tasmanian state election

11 December 1976
All 35 seats to the House of Assembly
Leader Bill Neilson Max Bingham Party Labor Liberal Leader since 31 March 1975 4 May 1972 Leader's seat Franklin Denison Last election 21 seats 14 seats Seats won 18 seats 17 seats Seat change 3 3 Percentage 52.48% 44.49% Swing 2.45 6.12
Premier before election Bill Neilson Labor Elected Premier Bill Neilson Labor

The incumbent Labor Party, led by Bill Neilson, won a second term against the opposition Liberal Party, led by Max Bingham.

Background

Labor had won the 1972 election, by a landslide margin of 7 seats, with Labor leader Eric Reece elected as Premier of Tasmania for the second time. Reece retired from Parliament on 31 March 1975, after the ALP introduced a mandatory retirement age of 65. Liberal Party leader Angus Bethune retired three months later, and was replaced by Max Bingham.

Results

Labor won the election, although their majority was reduced to one seat.

Tasmanian state election, 11 December 1976 House of Assembly << 1972–1979 >>
Enrolled voters		258,550
Votes cast		244,424		Turnout	94.54	–0.37
Informal votes		9,294		Informal	3.80	+0.14
Summary of votes by party
Party		Primary votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Labor	123,386	52.48	–2.45	18	– 3
	Liberal	104,613	44.49	+6.12	17	+ 3
	United Tasmania Group	5,183	2.20	–1.70	0	± 0
	Workers Party	524	0.22	+0.22	0	± 0
	Independent	1,424	0.61	–2.19	0	± 0
Total		235,130			35

Popular vote Labor   52.48% Liberal   44.49% United Tasmania Group   2.20% Workers Party   0.22% Independents   0.61%

Seats Labor   51.43% Liberal   48.57%

Distribution of Seats

Electorate Seats won Bass               Braddon               Denison               Franklin               Wilmot

Labor   Liberal

See also

• Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1976–1979
• Candidates of the Tasmanian state election, 1976

References

1. House of Assembly Elections, Parliament of Tasmania.

• "House of Assembly Election Results 11 December 1976". Tasmanian Parliamentary Library.