Elections were held in the Australian state of Queensland on 3 May 1947 to elect the 62 members of the state's Legislative Assembly.
The election was the first that the Labor government had contested under Premier Ned Hanlon, who had been in office for 14 months by the time of the poll.
The election resulted in Labor receiving a sixth term in office. It was the first Queensland election at which all seats were contested by at least two candidates.
Key dates Date Event 21 March 1947 The Parliament was dissolved. 24 March 1947 Writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election. 31 March 1947 Close of nominations. 3 May 1947 Polling day, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. 15 May 1947 The Hanlon Ministry was re-sworn in. 24 May 1947 Polling day in the seat of Gregory.. 30 May 1947 The writ was returned and the results formally declared. 2 June 1947 Polling day in the seat of Cook. 5 August 1947 Parliament resumed for business.
Results
+Legislative Assembly (IRV) – Turnout: 90.75% Party Primary vote Seats Votes % Swing () Seats Change Labor 272,203 43.00 –3.23 35 4 Country 129,158 20.40 +3.12 14 3 People's Party 160,623 25.38 +1.09 9 2 Frank Barnes Labor 21,823 3.45 +2.63 1 1 Communist 7,870 1.24 –1.19 1 Independent Labor 6,727 1.06 +1.06 1 1 Hermit Park Labor 4,541 0.72 –0.36 1 King O'Malley Labor 3,061 0.48 –0.65 0 Co-operative Democrat 702 0.11 +0.08 0 Independent 17,722 2.80 –1.82 0 1 Total 632,909 100.00 62 Invalid/blank votes 8,579 1.4 –0.42 colspan=2 Turnout 632,909 90.75 +12.58 colspan=2 Registered voters 697,405 colspan=2 colspan=2
Seats changing party representation
This table lists changes in party representation at the 1947 election.
Seat Incumbent member Party New member PartyCairnsLou Barnes Frank Barnes LaborThomas Crowley LaborDalbyAubrey Slessar LaborCharles Russell CountryEast ToowoombaLes Wood LaborGordon Chalk People's PartyMareeLouis Luckins IndependentLouis Luckins People's PartyMiraniTed Walsh LaborErnie Evans CountryWarwickJohn Healy LaborOtto Madsen Country
Members listed in italics did not recontest their seats. East Toowoomba was held by the Country Party at the previous election. It was won by Labor at the 1946 by-election.
See also Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1944–1947 Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1947–1950 Candidates of the Queensland state election, 1947 Hanlon Ministry
Notes
References