Summary
A leadership election of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 22 December 1977. Following the resignation of Gough Whitlam former Treasurer Bill Hayden was elected Labor's new leader winning 36 votes to 28 over Lionel Bowen who was then elected deputy leader.[1]
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Background edit
After losing the 1977 election Gough Whitlam finally resigned as party leader after more than 10 years.
Bill Hayden who in May had come within two votes of toppling Whitlam, announced the day after election that he would contest the leadership.[2]
Candidates edit
- Lionel Bowen, Shadow Attorney-General, Member for Kingsford Smith
- Bill Hayden, Shadow Minister for Economic Management, Member for Oxley
Results edit
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Leadership ballot edit
The following tables gives the ballot results:
| Name | Votes | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Hayden | 36 | 56.25 | |
| Lionel Bowen | 28 | 43.75 | |
Deputy leadership ballot edit
| Candidate | 1st ballot | 2nd ballot | 3rd ballot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Bowen | 25 | 26 | 33 | |
| Tom Uren | 22 | 26 | 29 | |
| Mick Young | 10 | 11 | Eliminated | |
| Ralph Willis | 7 | Eliminated | ||
| Abstentions | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
Paul Keating had previously announced that he would stand for the deputy leadership,[3] however he stood aside in favour of Bowen.[4]
Aftermath edit
Hayden led the party in on the 1980 election where they managed to halve Malcolm Fraser's majority.
References edit
- ^ Davidson, Gay (23 December 1977). "The Labor Leaders: Changes Mark a Swing to the Centre; Hayden Leader, Bowen deputy". The Canberra Times. p. 1.
- ^ Gay Davidson (12 December 1977). "Hayden will seek Labor leadership". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Keating to nominate as deputy". The Canberra Times. 21 December 1977. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Labor elects new Leader today". The Canberra Times. 22 December 1977. Retrieved 1 December 2021.