Tasmanian state election, 1909

Distribution of Seats

Aftermath

The Anti-Socialist Party (previously known as the Free Trade Party) was a coalition of conservative parliamentarians, exhorted by incumbent Premier John Evans to combine their forces against the threat from the Labour Party who had won an unprecedented 12 seats. Evans offered to resign if asked, and in June was taken to his word, with Elliott Lewis elected as leader and premier with a pledge of twelve months loyalty. A faction of Liberals led by Norman Ewing undermined Lewis' leadership, culminating in a no-confidence motion in October 1909 which led to the Governor of Tasmania Sir Harry Barron calling on John Earle to form Tasmania's first Labour ministry, a minority government which lasted only a week before being voted out by the House. [Scott Bennett, ' [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100088b.htm Lewis, Sir Neil Elliott (1858 - 1935)] ', "Australian Dictionary of Biography", Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, 1986, pp 94-95.]

References

External links

* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/Elections/e1909.htm Assembly Election Results, 1909] , Parliament of Tasmania.
* [http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/ElectoralInformation/Election%20Reports/1909.pdf Report of Committee on General Election, 1909] , Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 18 August 1909.