1894 Victorian colonial election

The 1894 Victorian colonial election was held on 20 September 1894 to elect the 16th Parliament of Victoria. All 95 seats in the Legislative Assembly were up for election, though 16 were uncontested.

1894 Victorian colonial election

20 September 1894
All 95 seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly 48 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader George Turner James Patterson Party Liberal Conservative Leader's seat St Kilda Castlemaine Last election 56 seats 28 seats Seats won 47 27 Seat change 9 1
Premier before election James Patterson Conservative Elected Premier George Turner Liberal

Background

The Electoral Act Amendment Act of 1888 had increased the number seats in the Legislative Assembly from 86 to 95, and the number of electoral districts from 55 to 84 (73 single-member electorates, 11 two-member electorates). Plural voting was permitted for people who had property in more than one electorate.

The Liberals were split between Oppositionists, led by George Turner, and Ministerialists, led by Conservative Premier James Patterson.

Enrolments in most seats was lower than at the 1892 election, as a result of the Purification of the Rolls Act of 1891. It had the effect of disenfranchising large numbers of voters, mostly the working class, who had changed their residence in the year before the election.

Results

Legislative Assembly (FPTP)

Party			Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Liberal Oppositionists		75,404	46.03		47	9
	Conservative Ministerialists		44,479	27.15		27	1
	United Labour and Liberal		32,474	19.82		18	9
	Liberal Ministerialists		11,448	6.99		3
Formal votes			163,805
Informal votes			754
Total			164,559			95
Registered voters / turnout			234,552	70.85