A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party of government in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 3 June 1991. It was the first of two ballots that year with Prime Minister Bob Hawke surviving the ballot against Treasurer Paul Keating, who then went to the backbench.
Background Bob Hawke had been leader of the Labor Party since 3 February 1983, and prime minister since the 1983 election, with Labor winning a record four elections under his leadership. However, the unexpectedly close win at the 1990 election, coupled with the deepening economic recession, fuelled tensions within the government over economic policy.
Furthermore, a re-energised Liberal opposition led by John Hewson, a qualified economist, gained ground in the opinion polls. Hawke had alienated key NSW Right faction powerbroker, Senator Graham Richardson by late 1990, with the latter bluntly telling Hawke he no longer had the support of the Right.
Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Paul Keating launched his first June challenge against Hawke after the latter apparently reneged on a Kirribilli agreement that he would hand over the leadership in 1990.
Candidates Bob Hawke, incumbent leader, Prime Minister of Australia, member for Wills Paul Keating, former deputy prime minister, former treasurer, member for Blaxland
Results
The following tables gives the ballot results:
Leadership ballot Name Votes Percentage Bob Hawke 66 60.0 Paul Keating 44 40.0
Deputy leadership ballot Candidate Final ballot % Brian Howe 81 73.6 Graeme Campbell 18 16.4 Abstentions 11 10.0
Aftermath Hawke's public support continued to decline before in December 1991, he called on another spill which Keating won 56–51.
See also December 1991 Australian Labor Party leadership spill
References