Elections

Before responsible government there had been three elections for a mixed-membership Legislative Council, where generally two-thirds of the Members were elected, with the remainder appointed by the Governor of the day.

After 1856, there was a definite liberal/conservative divide in New South Wales politics.

By the 1870s, there were large anomalies in the size of the electorates created by the 1858 legislation.

At the beginning of the 1890s great changes were in train in the social, economic and political life of all Australian colonies, but especially in New South Wales

With the coming of Federation, it was clear to all politicians that the rules of the political contest had undergone a fundamental change.

If for no other reason, a redistribution was needed before the 1913 election to allow for the removal of the Australian Capital Territory from New South Wales, now that Canberra had been chosen as the site for the Federal capital.

Australia has a reputation, compared with most other democratic nations, for favouring odd and experimental electoral systems.

Since there was little support for proportional representation (PR) in the Parliament either from the Labor, Nationalist or Progressive Parties, the Lang Government's decision to abolish it was not controversial.

The major redistribution which had been necessary with the change from proportional representation to single-Member electorates in 1926 had been accomplished under the Lang Labor Government (1925-7).

In March 1939 the UAP/UCP Government set in train the machinery for a redistribution of electoral boundaries.

The first redistribution after Labor came to office in 1941 was held in 1949.

A redistribution was held in 1952. There were changes to the boundaries of 64 of the 94 seats.

The 1957 redistribution created two new seats, Cronulla and Merrylands.

The final boundaries for the 1961 redistribution were released in August.

After 24 long years in Opposition, the new Coalition Government was understandably pleased to be in office. Yet despite its victory, the Coalition's clear majority over Labor in the popular vote had not been reflected in the new Government's Parliamentary majority.

The 1966 redistribution had demonstrated flaws in the electoral zones in use since 1949.

The Askin Government survived the 1971 election with a reduced majority, but the next 18 months were to reveal evidence of a further decline in support for the Coalition.

The 1978 election was a double triumph for the Wran Government. Not only was the Labor Party returned to office with a 'Wranslide' majority, it also gained control of the Legislative Council at that Chamber's first popular election.

The 1984 election was to be Neville Wran's last as Premier. He announced his resignation in June 1986 at the Labor Party's annual conference at Sydney Town Hall.

The 1988 election generated a two-party preferred swing to the Coalition of 8.4% and saw the Labor Party record its lowest primary vote in half a century.

The Labor Party’s victory at the 1995 election was built on a number of specific promises, backed by a well directed marginal seat campaign.