Candidates of the 1906 Australian federal election

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This article provides information on candidates who stood for the 1906 Australian federal election. The election was held on 12 December 1906.

By-elections, appointments and defections

By-elections and appointments

On 26 February 1904, Norman Cameron (Free Trade) was elected to replace Sir Edward Braddon (Free Trade) as the member for Wilmot.
On 30 March 1904, William Maloney (Labour) was elected to replace Sir Malcolm McEacharn (Protectionist) as the member for Melbourne. McEacharn's election in 1903 had been declared void.
On 18 May 1904, John Chanter (Protectionist) was elected to replace Robert Blackwood (Free Trade) as the member for Riverina. Blackwood's election in 1903 had been declared void.
On 12 October 1906, Isaac Isaacs (Protectionist) resigned as the member for Indi. H. B. Higgins (Protectionist) resigned as the member for Northern Melbourne the following day. Due to the proximity of the election, no by-elections were held.

Defections

In 1904, Independent MP James Wilkinson (Moreton) joined the Labour Party.
In 1904, the Free Trade Party under its leader George Reid took office from the Watson Labour Government. Protectionists Senator James Drake (Queensland), James McCay (Corinella), Allan McLean (Gippsland) and Sir George Turner (Balaclava) accepted office under Reid and effectively ended their connection with the Protectionist Party, becoming Free Trade MPs. They were joined by Richard Edwards (Oxley), Senator Simon Fraser (Victoria), Sir Philip Fysh (Denison) and James McColl (Echuca). Around this time the Revenue Tariff Party was dissolved, and its two parliamentarians, Senator Henry Dobson (Tasmania) and William McWilliams (Franklin), also became Free Traders. Protectionists Sir John Forrest (Swan) and Sir John Quick (Bendigo) also dissolved their relationship with Deakin's party, but stopped short of joining the Free Traders. They were the beginning of what became known as the "Corner" group of independent conservative protectionists.
In 1906, the Free Trade Party was renamed the Anti-Socialist Party.
In 1906, the Western Australian Party was formed. Sir John Forrest (Swan), formerly a Protectionist, ran as its endorsed candidate, but in reality remained a member of the "Corner" group.
Anti-Socialist MP Norman Cameron (Wilmot) lost pre-selection and contested the election as an Independent.
Labour Senator Anderson Dawson (Queensland) initially announced his intention to retire at this election. He ultimately decided to contest it, but as the Labour candidates had already been selected he ran as an Independent.
Labour MP James Ronald (Southern Melbourne), whose seat was abolished, was unsuccessful seeking pre-selection for Melbourne Ports. He contested the election as an Independent.

Redistributions and seat changes

Redistributions of electoral boundaries occurred in New South Wales and Victoria.
- In New South Wales, Bland was abolished, Cook and Nepean were created, and Canobolas was renamed Calare.
  - The member for Bland, Chris Watson (Labour), contested South Sydney.
  - The member for Canobolas, Thomas Brown (Labour), contested Calare.
- In Victoria, Corinella and Moira were abolished, Maribyrnong was created, and Northern Melbourne and Southern Melbourne were renamed Batman and Fawkner respectively.
  - The member for Corinella, James McCay (Anti-Socialist), contested Corio.
  - The member for Echuca, James McColl (Anti-Socialist), contested the Senate.
  - The member for Flinders, James Gibb (Anti-Socialist), contested the New South Wales seat of Hume.
  - The member for Grampians, Thomas Skene (Anti-Socialist), contested the Senate.
  - The member for Melbourne Ports, Samuel Mauger (Protectionist), contested Maribyrnong.
  - The member for Moira, Thomas Kennedy (Protectionist), contested Echuca.
  - The member for Southern Melbourne, James Ronald (Independent), contested Melbourne Ports.

Retiring Members and Senators

Protectionist

Sir Langdon Bonython MP (Barker, SA)
Pharez Phillips MP (Wimmera, Vic)
Senator James Drake (Qld)
Senator Sir William Zeal (Vic)

Free Trade

George Edwards MP (South Sydney, NSW)
Sir George Turner MP (Balaclava, Vic) – elected as Protectionist
Senator Sir Richard Baker (SA)
Senator Alexander Matheson (WA)
Senator Staniforth Smith (WA)

House of Representatives

Sitting members at the time of the election are shown in bold text. Successful candidates are highlighted in the relevant colour. Where there is possible confusion, an asterisk (*) is also used.