1968 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

April 2022 1968 Australian Labor Party Leadership spill Australia ALP logo, pre-1980s.png presidential Caucus no 1967 Australian Labor Party leadership election 1967 1976 Australian Labor Party leadership spill 1976 30 April 1968 150x150px Gough Whitlam DC241F 38 (54.3%) 150x150px Jim Cairns DC241F 32 (45.7%) Leader Gough Whitlam Gough Whitlam A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party of opposition in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 30 April 1968. It followed leader Gough Whitlam's decision to resign the leadership following the party executives refusal to seat new Tasmanian delegate Brian Harradine, to which Whitlam demanded a vote of confidence from his caucus. Whitlam received 38 votes to left-winger Jim Cairns' 32 in an unexpectedly close poll.Leadership Vote Fails to Heal A.L.P. Dispute: Whitlam faces new left-wing revolt Gaul, Jonathan The Canberra Times 1 May 1968 1 Candidates Jim Cairns, Member of the ALP Caucus Executive, Member for Yarra Gough Whitlam, incumbent party leader, Member for Werriwa Results The following table gives the ballot results: Name Votes Percentage Gough Whitlam 38 54.28 Jim Cairns 32 45.72 References Category:Australian Labor Party leadership spills Australian Labor Party leadership spill