1989 Australian Capital Territory election

none February 2018 September 2022 1989 Australian Capital Territory election Australian Capital Territory parliamentary no Primary 1992 Australian Capital Territory election 1992 All 17 seats in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly 9 yes 1989 03 04 88.8% #Opinion polling RosemaryFollett.jpg 130 130 170 0 0 center Rosemary Follett 17 December 1988 Australian Labor Party (Australian Capital Territory Branch) 32,370 22.8% 5 5 Trevor Kaine and John Langmore (cropped).jpg 130 130 170 0 0 center Trevor Kaine 10 December 1988 Liberal Party of Australia (Australian Capital Territory Division) 21,088 14.9% 4 4 SenatorXenophonWitnessK (cropped).jpg 135 130 170 0 2 center Bernard Collaery 1988 Residents Rally 13,647 residents rally 4 9.6% 4 NSGP Craig Duby 1989 No Self Govt no self-government 16,274 11.5% 3 3 ASGC Dennis Stevenson 1989 Abolish Self Govt abolish self-government 10,641 7.5% 1 1 FEC Tony Fleming 9 February 1989 Fair Elections teal independent 7,765 5.5% 0 Chief Minister Resulting Chief Minister Rosemary Follett Australian Labor Party (Australian Capital Territory Branch) 1989 Australian Capital Territory Election Map.svg At-Large electorate results An election was held on 4 March 1989 to elect the first Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. This was the first direct election by voters in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for their power legislative body. The Labor Party, led by Rosemary Follett, and the Liberal Party, led by Trevor Kaine, were the main challengers. Candidates were elected to fill seats using modified d'Hondt electoral systemAustralian Capital Territory Electoral Commission, Modified d'Hondt Electoral System https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173142/https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/modified_dhondt_electoral_system 20 September 2022 for a multi-member single (at-large) constituency. The result was a hung parliament. However, Labor, with the largest representation in the 17member unicameral Assembly, formed government with the support of various non-aligned minor parties. Follett was elected the first Chief Minister at the first sitting of the Assembly on 11 May 1989. http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/1989/pdfs/19890511.pdf Legislative Assembly for the ACT – Week 1 ACT Hansard ACT Legislative Assembly 11 May 1989 2010-08-08 5 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190305191400/http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansard/1989/pdfs/19890511.pdf dead Key dates Party Register opened for Parliamentary Parties: 7 December 1988 Party Register opened for non-Parliamentary Parties: 6 January 1989 Party Register closed: 26 January 1989 Pre-election period commenced/nominations opened: 27 January 1989 Rolls closed: 3 February 1989 Nominations closed: 10 February 1989 Polling day: 4 March 1989 Poll declared: 8 May 1989 Legislative Assembly formed: 11 May 1989 http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/1989_election/election_timetable_1989_election Election timetable ACT Legislative Assembly election – 1989 ACT Electoral Commission 1989 2012-08-03 Overview Background to self-government in the ACT Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly 1978 Australian Capital Territory self-government referendum The Australian Capital Territory was established in 1911, initially called the Federal Capital Territory. The Territory was carved out of the state of New South Wales to make way for the site of the capital of Australia. As the Territory grew, particularly the city of Canberra from the 1960s, there were increasing calls for some form of self-government. http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/learn-about-the-assembly/fact-sheets/self-government A brief history of self-government in the ACT Education – fact sheets ACT Legislative Assembly 2010 2010-09-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20140325054233/http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/learn-about-the-assembly/fact-sheets/self-government 25 March 2014 dead There were a number of appointed and elected advisory bodies between 1920 and 1986. The main elected representative body of the ACT was the Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly that sat from 1975 to 1986. This House served primarily as an advisory body, with most legislative powers managed by the federal minister for the territories, under section 122 of the Australian Constitution. http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/learn-about-the-assembly/fact-sheets/self-government Self-Government – Setting the Scene Education – fact sheets ACT Legislative Assembly 2010 2010-09-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20140325054233/http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/learn-about-the-assembly/fact-sheets/self-government 25 March 2014 dead In an advisory referendum held in 1978, voters in the ACT rejected a proposal for self-government, with 63% voting in favour of the proposition that the 'present arrangements for governing the Australian capital should continue for the time being'. Thirty percent of voters favoured self-government with a locally elected body with state-like powers, and 6% voted for a locally elected body with powers and functions similar to those of local government. http://www.parliament.curriculum.edu.au/act.htm Australian Capital Territory – Parliaments Civics and Citizenship Education Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations 2009 2010-09-03 http://www.crispinhull.com.au/history-of-canberra-1913-2003/canberra-the-eighth-decade/ Canberra 1983–1993 – 8th decade The history of Canberra Hull, Crispin 2010 2010-09-03 In spite of the referendum outcome, in 1983, the federal Labor government of prime minister Bob Hawke set up a Self-Government Task Force to report on the government of the ACT.http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117 Australian Capital Territory Documenting a Democracy National Archives of Australia 2010-09-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050716075342/http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item.asp?sdID=117 16 July 2005 Further, it wanted to force the ACT into line with the states on funding levels and, in late 1988, the federal government passed the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, allowing for the self-government of the ACT. Political parties and election process The Australian Capital Territory comprised one electorate for the election. However, electors were only able to cast ordinary votes within their own federal electoral seats of either Canberra or Fraser. The election was conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, operating under Commonwealth legislation. The election was notable for having a ballot paper almost one-metre wide that listed 117 candidates for election representing 22 political parties. A number of parties ran in opposition to self-government and there was a number of people taking full advantage of some of the more ludicrous or ridiculous aspects of the ballot paper. http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/act/content/2006/s2566353.htm Stateline 20 Years of Self Government Australian Broadcasting Corporation 8 May 2009 2010-08-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20121111150602/http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/act/content/2006/s2566353.htm 11 November 2012 dead The parties include the "Sun-Ripened Warm Tomato Party", "Party! Party! Party!" and "Surprise Party". http://www.elections.act.gov.au/pdfs/electoralcompendium.pdf Election compendium ACT Electoral Commission 2004 2010-09-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110219002447/http://www.elections.act.gov.au/pdfs/electoralcompendium.pdf 19 February 2011 dead The centre-left Labor Party, led by Rosemary Follett, and the centre-right Liberal Party, led by Trevor Kaine, were the main challengers. Three minor parties also played a prominent role in the campaign including Residents Rally, a self described "community-based urban green party", http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/previous%20series/proceedings/1-27/~/media/publications/proceedings/05/colaery.ashx Collaery, Bernard Community policing – an ACT perspective Australian Institute of Criminology 1991 2010-09-03 Bernard Collaery led by Bernard Collaery, as well as two parties campaigning on platforms of opposing self-government. Results File:1989 ACT Legislative Assembly.svg 169493 8560 Labor 32370 5 Liberal 21088 4 #888888 Independents 16351 0 #ebd583 No Self Government Party 16274 3 #6CA1A8 Residents Rally 13647 4 #ff4f00 Abolish Self Government Coalition 10641 1 #008080 Fair Elections Coalition 7765 0 #e0922e The A.C.T Community Party 5777 0 #5d8aa5 Canberra First 4918 0 #800080 Family Movement 3885 0 Democrats 2350 0 National 1947 0 #d6000f Sun Ripened Warm Tomato 1666 0 Party! Party! Party! 979 0 yellow Christian Alternative 846 #e32636 Democratic Socialist Perspective 713 0 Sleepers Wake 173 0 Surprise Party 166 0 #69359c Disabled & Redeployed Workers 163 0 #6d351a A Better Idea 80 0 #ed0b6f Home Rule OK 62 0 Aftermath It took almost two months after election day to determine the results of the election.Cumming Fia Elected! The ACT gets its first Assembly, at last https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122259339/12986908 The Canberra Times 17 November 2024 1 4 May 1989 Four people won seats on ostensible platforms of abolishing self-government. The result was a hung parliament. First preference results of the major contenders at conclusion of the final count were: Labor Party – 22.8 per cent, Liberal – 14.9 per cent, No Self Government Party – 11.5 per cent, Residents Rally – 9.6 per cent, and Abolish Self-Government Coalition – 7.5 per cent. http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/1989_election/first_preference_results_1989_election 1989 Election First Preference Results ACT Electoral Commission 1989 2015-10-19 Other candidates and parties that polled well, but failed to achieve a quota included Fair Elections Coalition (5.5%), John Haslem (4.8%), The A.C.T. Community Party (4.1%), and Bill Mackay (4.0%). Following distribution of preferences, the membership of the first Assembly was one member from the Abolish Self-Government Coalition; five members from the Australian Labor Party; four members from the Liberal Party; three members from the No Self Government Party and four members from the Residents Rally. http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/1989_election/list_of_elected_candidates_1989_election 1989 Election List of elected candidates ACT Electoral Commission 1989 2015-10-19 Labor, with the largest representation in the 17-member unicameral Assembly, formed a minority Government. Follett was elected the first Chief Minister at the first sitting of the first Assembly on 11 May 1989, sitting in rented premises at 1 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City. The final sitting of the first Assembly was on 17 December 1991. Officeholders The office holders of the first Assembly were: Speaker: David Prowse (No Self Government Party) Chief Minister: Rosemary Follett (Labor) Leader of the Opposition: Trevor Kaine (Liberal) Candidates At the inaugural election, candidates were elected to fill seats using a modified D'Hondt method for a multi-member single constituency covering the entire Territory. Seventeen vacancies were available to fill the unicameral ACT Legislative Assembly. Tickets that elected at least one MLA are highlighted in the relevant colour. Successful candidates are indicated by an asterisk (*). http://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/past_act_legislative_assembly_elections/1989_election/list_of_candidates_1989_election 1989 Election List of candidates ACT Electoral Commission 1989 2015-10-19 Abolished ACT House of Assembly candidates With the ACT House of Assembly abolished in 1986, the following elected representatives from the previous House nominated as candidates for election to the inaugural ACT Legislative Assembly: Labor Barry Reid Paul Whalan Liberal Greg Cornwell Trevor Kaine Peter Kobold Independents Harold Hird Nationals David Adams (sat as a Liberal MHA) Family Team Bev Cains All candidates and parties seeking election Labor candidatesLiberal candidatesNSG candidatesResidents Rally candidatesASGC candidates      Rosemary Follett* Paul Whalan* Wayne Berry* Ellnor Grassby* Bill Wood* Di Ford Kevin Gill Anna Robieson Martin Attridge Peta Beelen Barry ReidGary Humphries* Trevor Kaine* Robyn Nolan* Bill Stefaniak* Greg Cornwell Lyle Dunne Peter Kobold Judith Dowson Peter Jansen Bob WinnelCraig Duby* Carmel Maher* David Prowse* John Taylor Norman Henry Peter Alabaster John Cunningham Chris Elworthy Elma Lindh Nev Aurousseau John Cantlon Ken Durie Bob Smythe Lindsay Sales Philippa Meredith Jack Wright Yvonne HammondBernard Collaery* Norm Jensen* Michael Moore* Hector Kinloch* Joan Kellett Chris Donohue Marion Le Kelvin Giles Catherine RossiterDennis Stevenson* Flo Grant Gladys Dickson Chris Tazreiter Nerolie Bush Geoff Doepel Trish Orton Gail Aiken Mike Trevethan Reg Hayward Colin Beaton John HeskethDemocrats candidatesNationals candidatesFamily Team candidatesFEC candidatesCanberra First candidates  Arminel Ryan Bill Mason Heather JeffcoatDavid Adams Michael Mullins Bruce MacKinnonBev Cains Dawn Casley-Smith Ron Gane Bill Fearon Dennis Meagher Drewe JustTony Fleming Alan Runciman Sarah Kirschbaum Gordon McAllister Gus Petersilka Julie McCarron-BensonAllan Nelson Beryl Byrnes John McMahon Jeff Brown Michael Apps Barry Brogan Jennie Booth Arthur Hetherington Elisabeth Apps Mike McColl Matt Campbell Garry BehanHaslem candidatesParty! Party! Party! candidatesSWP candidateDRWP candidatesHome Rule OK candidate  John Haslem Caryl HaslemAmanda Call Shane McMillanKristian WhittakerPeter Burrows Derek RobinsonTony BoyeA Better Idea candidateChristian Alt. candidatesSleepers Wake candidateCommunity candidatesTomato candidates  Mick ScurfieldNathan Stirling Bernadette IbellJohn BellamyKen Fry Domenic Mico Lorne DoyleEmile Brunoro Rick KennySpagnolo candidateSurprise Party candidateUngrouped candidates  Tony SpagnoloC J BurnsFrank Crnkovic (Ind) Bill Mackey (Ind) Bob Reid (Ind) Kevin Robert Wise (Ind) Gary James Pead (Ind) Bill Pye (Ind) John Rocke (Ind) Harold Hird (Ind) Lyall L Gillespie (Ind) Opinion polling Voting intention DateFirm SamplesizePrimary vote white ACT Labor Party ALP white Canberra Liberals LIB black No Self Government Party NSG white Residents Rally RR white Abolish Self Government Coalition ASG white John Haslem (politician) HAS white ACT Community Party COM white Canberra First Party CFP black Australian Democrats DEM OTH Other 4 Mar 1989 1989 election 22.8% 14.9% 11.5% 9.6% 7.5% 4.8% 4.1% 3.5% 1.7% 19.7% 26 Feb − 2 Mar 1989 DatacolFraser Andrew Minority still top tip https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120914015/12984337 The Canberra Times 24 October 2024 1 3 March 1989 576 31.0% 15.8% 8.0% 7.9% 6.7% 4.5% 3.5% 2.6% 2.2% 3.1%The Fair Elections Coalition had 2.8%, the National Party had 2.0%, the Family Team had 1.5%, Bill Mackey "leading the independent list" had 2.1%, and fellow independent Harold Hird had 1.0%. 17 − 21 Feb 1989 DatacolFraser Andrew 20pc: How ALP can win https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120912323/12984000 The Canberra Times 24 October 2024 1 23 February 1989 484 21.1% 10.8% 4.1% 3.2% 2.1% 1.8% 2.3% 3.0% 1.1% 6.3%All other parties had 6.3%, "undecided" had 35.0% and 9.1% said they would vote informally. 19 Feb 1989 Billy Bong ResearchWhitfield Kathryn Poll: major parties unwanted https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120911594 The Canberra Times 24 October 2024 1 19 February 1989How the poll was done https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120911524 The Canberra Times 28 October 2024 1 19 February 1989Middleton Karen Kaine and Follett reject poll finding https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120911724 The Canberra Times 24 October 2024 1 20 February 1989 264 21.2% 15.3% 17.2% 7.7% 3.7% 13.6%The Sun Ripened Warm Tomato Party had 3.7%, The Fair Elections Coalition had 1.8%, the National Party had 1.1%, "independents (grouped)" had 6.2%, the Rainbow Alliance had 0.8% and 21.4% said they would vote informally. 19 − 22 Dec 1988 DatacolFraser Andrew ALP in lead for ACT poll https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102039555 The Canberra Times 24 October 2024 1 26 December 1988 379 35.9% 20.0% 1.1% 3.8% 8.9%Other parties had 2.7%, independents had 6.2% and "undecided" had 30.3%. See also Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 Novelty candidate First Follett Ministry Kaine Ministry Second Follett Ministry Liberal–Residents Rally Alliance Members of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, 1989-1991 External links ACT Electoral Commission – 1989 election ACT Legislative Assembly – List of Members (1989–2008) https://web.archive.org/web/20190521111625/https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/members/current 21 May 2019 ACT Election compendium (2004) ABC Stateline 20 Years of Self Government (2009) Notes References Category:Elections in the Australian Capital Territory Australian Capital Territory election Australian Capital Territory election Election1989