Elections were held in the Australian state of Victoria on 15 July 1961 to elect the 66 members of the state's Legislative Assembly and 17 members of the 34-member Legislative Council. MLAs were elected for three year terms and MLCs were elected for six year terms. All were elected in single-member districts or provinces using preferential voting.
The Liberal and Country Party (LCP) government of Premier Henry Bolte won a third term in office. It was the first Victorian election at which all seats in both houses were contested by at least two candidates, and the first at which both houses were contested on the same day.
Key dates Date Event 24 May 1961 The Parliament was prorogued. 1 June 1961 Writs were issued by the Administrator to proceed with an election. 23 June 1961 Close of nominations. 15 July 1961 Polling day, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. 28 July 1961 The Bolte Ministry was reconstituted, with two new ministers sworn in. 1 August 1961 The writ was returned and the results formally declared. 1 August 1961 Parliament resumed for business.
Results Legislative Assembly
The election produced almost no change in the electoral balance.
Legislative Council
Seats changing hands
Seat Pre-1961 Swing Post-1961 Party Member Margin Margin Member PartyMoorabbin Liberal and CountryBob Suggett 9.4 N/A 8.7Bob SuggettIndependent Liberal Oakleigh LaborVal Doube 1.8 -4.2 2.5Alan ScanlanLiberal and Country
In addition, the LCP retained the seat of Ballarat North which it had won from the Country party at the 1960 by-election.
See also Candidates of the 1961 Victorian state election Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 1958–1961 Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 1961–1964 Bolte Ministry
References