1968 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party of opposition in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 30 April 1968. It followed leader Gough Whitlam's decision to resign the leadership following the party executives refusal to seat new Tasmanian delegate Brian Harradine, to which Whitlam demanded a vote of confidence from his caucus. Whitlam received 38 votes to left-winger Jim Cairns' 32 in an unexpectedly close poll.^[1]

Candidates

Jim Cairns, Member of the ALP Caucus Executive, Member for Yarra
Gough Whitlam, incumbent Leader, Member for Werriwa

Results

The following table gives the ballot results:

Name		Votes	Percentage
	Gough Whitlam	38	54.28
	Jim Cairns	32	45.72

References

^ Gaul, Jonathan (1 May 1968). "Leadership Vote Fails to Heal A.L.P. Dispute: Whitlam faces new left-wing revolt". The Canberra Times. p. 1.

[1] Gaul, Jonathan (1 May 1968). "Leadership Vote Fails to Heal A.L.P. Dispute: Whitlam faces new left-wing revolt". The Canberra Times. p. 1.

[1]