1959 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

A leadership spill of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 16 February 1959.

1959 Australian Labor Party
Leadership spill

16 February 1959

Candidate H. V. Evatt Eddie Ward Caucus vote 46 (59.0%) 32 (41.0%)

Leader before election H. V. Evatt Elected Leader H. V. Evatt

Background

Senior Labor left-winger Eddie Ward unsuccessfully challenged ALP leader H. V. Evatt following Evatt's third defeat at the polls in the 1958 election. Evatt was re-elected by a lower than expected margin of only 14 votes. The closeness of the ballot further highlighted the dissatisfaction with Evatt's leadership.

At the same caucus, Arthur Calwell was re-elected as deputy leader unopposed.

Results

The following table gives the ballot results:

Name		Votes	Percentage
	H. V. Evatt	46	58.97
	Eddie Ward	32	41.03

See also

• 1958 Australian federal election