1917 Australian federal election

Background

Labor split and aftermath

In November 1916 the ALP formally split over the issue of conscription, following the referendum defeat of the government's proposal to require conscript soldiers to serve overseas. Hughes and his supporters were expelled from the ALP and formed a separate National Labor Party (NLP), continuing to govern in minority with the support of the Liberal Party despite holding only 16 out of 75 seats in the House. The remnant ALP, now led by Frank Tudor, retained its Senate majority, making the passage of legislation difficult.

Discussions around an alliance between the NLP and the Liberals began shortly after the split. Although Hughes would have preferred a national unity government of all parties, the ALP was unwilling to co-operate and by mid-December 1916 Hughes had accepted the principle that Liberals would have to join his cabinet. Negotiations between Hughes and Liberal leader Joseph Cook lasted for several months, with terms finally agreed by Hughes on 31 January 1917 and approved by the Liberal Party. A new coalition ministry was sworn in on 17 February, with Cook taking the second rank in cabinet and the Liberals gaining five out of the nine portfolios.

Attempted postponement

Hughes had initially planned to call an election for April or May 1917 to allow him to attend the Imperial War Cabinet and Imperial War Conference in London. However, at the urging of the Liberals, a plan was instead developed to postpone the election – "until October 1918 or six months after the end of the war, whichever was sooner". As this would have violated section 28 of the constitution, the government sought to prolong the parliament by petitioning the British government to directly amend the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 and thereby circumvent the standard referendum process for constitutional amendments. This mechanism was viewed by some in Australia as legally permissible prior to the adoption of the Statute of Westminster 1931.

Hughes received advice from the British government that a joint resolution of the Australian parliament would be necessary before the British parliament could consider the matter. He succeeded in passing a resolution through the House, but faced difficulties in the Senate where the ALP still held a majority. Hughes was accused by some opponents of improperly influencing ALP senators to miss the vote – as with James Guy, James Long, and David Watson – or resign from the Senate altogether, as with Rudolph Ready. The postponement of the election was ultimately thwarted when Liberal senators Thomas Bakhap and John Keating crossed the floor to vote against the resolution.

Hughes eventually advised Governor-General Ronald Munro Ferguson to dissolve parliament on 23 March 1917 with the election date set for 5 May. He was consequently unable to attend the Imperial War Cabinet.

Results

House of Representatives

Notes

• Ten members were elected unopposed – seven Nationalist and three Labor.
• The changes recorded for the Nationalist Party are with regard to the Commonwealth Liberal Party's performance in 1914.

Senate

Notes

• The changes recorded for the Nationalist Party are with regard to the Commonwealth Liberal Party's performance in 1914.

Seats changing hands

• Members listed in italics did not contest their seat at this election.

Post-election pendulum

Notes

References

References

1. Fitzhardinge, Laurence. (1979). "William Morris Hughes: A Political Biography / Vol. 2: The Little Digger, 1914–1952". Angus & Robertson.
2. Souter, Gavin. (1988). "Acts of Parliament: A Narrative History of Australia's Federal Legislature". Melbourne University Press.