THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS (1943) newsclip

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS. LABOR SWEEPING THE POLLS. GREATEST POLITICAL SWING IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY. Reps. May Be 48 Labor, AU Others 26. Probably Win All 19 Senate Seats. PERTH, This Morning. - The Federal elections on Saturday resulted in a gain of approximately 12 seats for the Labor Party, giving a majority in the Representatives of 24 over the Opposition. The only State which so far has not made changes in its representation is Queensland. Mr. Fadden, who represented Darling Downs, however, is in arrears at the moment. In this State Mr. Curtin scored a sensational victory at Fremantle, completely avenging the near defeat of three years ago. Mr. Prowse appears to have lost Forrest, while Messrs. Nairn and Marwick are in danger. To make the "Labor Party's victory complete, it seems to be sweeping the Senate in all States and is likely to fill all 19 vacancies. The probable state of parties the new Parliament (figures being subject to change by further counting and allocation on preferences): Labor 48, Opposition 24, Independent 2. The old Parliament 36, 36, 2. As a result of Saturday's elections both the United AustraliaParty and Country Party lost about one-third of their strength in the Representatives. The Labor forces in that Chamber will outnumber its opponents by about two to one. The state of the parties on present figures will be: Labor 48, United Australia Party 16, Country Party 8, Independent 2. In the Senate the Labor Party appears to be repeating its success to command a majority required to win 16 seats. These elections, judging by returns so far, Labor will carry all States and may collect the, whole 19 vacancies, giving 22 members in the next. Senate, compared with 14 Opposition. When counting closed last night many votes remained to be counted. Thousands of postal and absent votes are yet to go to every Division in the Commonwealth. In addition, there are the soldiers' votes to be counted. Nevertheless, the voting, generally speaking, has shown one of the most pronounced political swings in the history of the Commonwealth. The conclusion in the main to be arrived at now is not likely to be greatly disturbed.