1843 New South Wales colonial election explained

Election Name:1843 New South Wales colonial election
Country:New South Wales
Flag Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Next Election:1848 New South Wales colonial election
Next Year:1848
Seats For Election:24 seats in the
Election Date:15 June 1843 –
3 July 1843
Map Size:300px

The 1843 New South Wales colonial election was held between 15 June and 3 July 1843 and was Australia's first colonial election. This election was for 24 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Council and it was conducted in 15 single-member constituencies, two 2-member constituencies and one 5-member constituency, all with a first past the post system. This included 6 members in what became the Colony of Victoria and a single member for the coast north of Newcastle. The Legislative Council was a hybrid system with 36 members, 24 elected, 6 appointed by virtue of their office (Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Auditor-General, Attorney General, Commander of the forces and Collector of Customs)[1] and 6 nominated. The appointments and elections were for five year terms.[2]

The right to vote was limited to men aged over 21 who owned property worth at least £200 or occupied a house at £20 per year.[3] There was a higher requirement to be a member of the Council, owning property worth £2,000 or income from real estate of £100 per year.[1] If a man fulfilled these requirements in multiple constituencies, then he was allowed to cast a vote in each.[4] This was known as plural voting.[5]

This was the first election held and the first form of representative government in Australia. The Governor retained considerable power, including the power to disallow bills and in appointing 12 of the 36 seats. As government appointments were expected to support the government, it only required the support of 6 of the 24 elected members to pass any bill.

The election was marked by a riot at Sydney involving 4-500 men,[6] which resulted in a fatality,[7] and a smaller riot at Windsor.[8]

Key dates

DateEvent
13 to 27 June 1843Nominations for candidates for the election.
15 June to 3 July 1843Polling days.
1 August 1843Opening of new Legislative Council.[9]

Results

See main article: Results of the 1843 New South Wales colonial election. |}

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Flanagan . Roderick . Roderick Flanagan . The History of New South Wales . 1862 . Sampson Low, Son & Company . 60 . 23 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Former Members . Members of Parliament . . 2021-10-29.
  3. Web site: 175 years of voting: the 175th anniversary of the first parliamentary election on 1843 . Sean . Darragh . Electoral Regulation Research Network and Democratic Audit of Australia working paper No 47 . August 2018.
  4. News: Australia's first election— 1843 . . 29 September 1934 . 29 October 2021 . 6 . Trove.
  5. Web site: 1856 to 1889 - Responsible Government and Colonial Development.
  6. News: Sydney election . . 16 June 1843 . 29 October 2021 . 2 . Trove.
  7. News: The riot . . 17 June 1843 . 29 October 2021 . 2 . Trove.
  8. News: Windsor election . . 22 June 1843 . 29 October 2021 . 2 . Trove.
  9. News: Legislative Council . . 2 August 1843 . 29 October 2021 . 2 . Trove.