The 1856 Tasmanian colonial elections took place from 8 to 22 September 1856 (for the House of Assembly) and 6 to 17 October 1856 (for the Legislative Council). The elections were the first to be held under the Electoral Act 1856, which established responsible government in Tasmania (until 1 January 1856 called Van Diemen's Land) and created a bicameral parliament consisting of the 30-member Tasmanian House of Assembly and the 15-member Tasmanian Legislative Council.
Members were elected using first-past-the-post voting. Following the election, William Champ became the first Premier of Tasmania on 1 November 1856, but his government lasted only 117 days.
Results
House of Assembly Elections for members of the House of Assembly took place between 8 and 22 September 1856. Members were elected from single-member 24 single-member divisions, while Hobart Town returned 5 members and Launceston returned 3 members. 16 members were elected unopposed, while the other members were elected using first-past-the-post voting.
Electoral district Seats Date Elected Launceston 3 8 September John Rogers, Adye Douglas, William Champ Clarence 1 15 September Edward Abbott Hobart Town 5 15 September Thomas Chapman, Maxwell Miller, Francis Smith, Robert Nutt, James Dunn Queenborough 1 15 September Duncan McPherson Campbell Town 1 16 September William Race Allison Cumberland 1 16 September Thomas Gellibrand Glenorchy 1 16 September Robert Officer (unopposed) Norfolk Plains 1 16 September John Gregson (unopposed) Sorell 1 16 September Askin Morrison (unopposed) Fingal 1 17 September Frederick von Steiglitz (unopposed) Kingborough 1 17 September Alfred Nicholas Oatlands 1 17 September Henry Anstey (unopposed) Ringwood 1 17 September William Weston (unopposed) Brighton 1 18 September Henry Butler (unopposed) Franklin 1 18 September William Crooke (unopposed) George Town 1 18 September Charles Henty (unopposed) Glamorgan 1 18 September Charles Meredith (unopposed) Morven 1 18 September Frederick Innes (unopposed) New Norfolk 1 19 September Michael Fenton (unopposed) Richmond 1 19 September Thomas Gregson Selby 1 19 September Ronald Gunn (unopposed) Westbury 1 19 September Thomas Field (unopposed) Deloraine 1 20 September Adolphus Rooke (unopposed) Devon 1 22 September James Gibson (unopposed)
See also Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 1856–1861
References