1885 New South Wales colonial election

The 1885 New South Wales colonial election was held between 16 October and 31 October 1885. This election was for all of the 122 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 37 single-member constituencies, 24 2-member constituencies, seven 3-member constituencies and four 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult male British subjects, resident in New South Wales. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 7 October 1885 by the Governor, Lord Augustus Loftus, on the advice of the Premier, George Dibbs.

Quick facts All 122 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 62 Assembly seats were needed for a majority, First party ...

1885 New South Wales colonial election

← 1882 16 October 1885 – 31 October 1885 1887 â†’
All 122 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly 62 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader George Dibbs Sir John Robertson Party Government Opposition Leader's seat St Leonards Mudgee Seats won 9 Ministers[1] 58 Supporters[a][2] 11 Oppositionists[1] 56 Against Government[a][2]
Results of the election, showing winners in each seat. Seats without circles indicate the electorate returned one member. Members are categorised by their vote in a vote of no confidence which took place on 8 December 1885.[2]
Premier before election George Dibbs Elected Premier George Dibbs

Close

There was no recognisable party structure at this election. Instead the government was determined by a loose, shifting factional system. It became the last election to be organised in such a fashion with the rise of the nascent political parties known as the Protectionist Party and the Free Trade Party that were founded in time to contest the 1887 election, and eventually merged in 1909 to become the first of the parties in the lineage of the modern Liberal Party of Australia.

Dibbs had succeeded Alexander Stuart two weeks before the election was held, and maintained a fragile grip on power after the election until 22 December, when he was defeated by Sir John Robertson.