30 Apr 1951
Page 1
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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Apr 30, 1951
Page
1
Reports from Melbourne and Sydney indicate Labour challenges in Victoria and New South Wales with Evatt's lead narrowing as postal votes count. Queensland senate totals show Liberal and Country efforts lagging behind Labour while several seats remain in doubt amid postwar political shifts and upcoming counts.
Informals, counted votes rising from 9148 to 17786, signal a tight election as Labour expected to win Leichhardt seat over Country Party. Bruce leads the sixth candidate, Gilmore trailing. Maranoa sees independent Russell ahead of official party rival by 166 votes. Tasmanian contest forecast close with Labour set to hold seats, while comment on preferences distribution reflects potential shifts.
Readers reported guidance cards left at polling stations outlining voting steps. The notices referenced Liberal party materials and urged informed choices, with unclear origin or official endorsement.
Mr A D Fraser sitting member for Eden Monaro polled 16 728 votes against Liberal opponent A G Keys 18 285. Returning Officer O Donnell at Goulburn estimated about 4 000 votes left to count. Fraser held a lead of Bai Belutineers considered that Fraser would win the seat as polling across the electorate continued.
Adelaide reports a moderate swing toward Labour with five Liberal and five Labour seats expected in South Australia’s two federal divisions. Western Australia’s Perth contest remains tight between sitting Labour MP T Burke and Liberal Sneddon, with final result uncertain amid absentee and sectional votes and a predicted photo finish.
Prime Minister Menzies said he would take a shade of odds that counting votes in the Senate could give the government majority by Thursday or Sunday. He complained of wool tax politics and noted losses in rural areas while citing expected support shifts and potential gains in Western Australia and Barton.
A British firm secured a £3 million contract to electrify the railway between Parramatta and Lithgow. British Insulated Callen ore Construction Company undertook to equip 238 miles of track.
The Leader of the Opposition Mr Chifley thanked Labour electors for their support and praised party workers across Australia. Federal ALP officials in Melbourne noted strong Victoria results but weaker showings elsewhere amid calls for an early federal election. Mr Ferguson forecast a Labor win if another poll were held, while urging stable industrial relations and criticizing government handling and anti Communism fears.
In Brisbane the leader of the Country Party Mr Fadden said Queensland has accepted responsibility by backing the Government. He noted Senate strength and anticipated its return, though he warned that the Senate election might resolve political chaos and obstruction, with West Australia possibly yielding a forty seat result.
The count shows J. R. Fraser likely to win the ACT seat with Labour support and postal votes aiding his lead. Nott trails, Ashton and Greenwood conceding as counting continues and voters at booths report heavy turnout and informal totals under 1 percent. Fraser thanks supporters and Labour for a clean campaign while Dr Nott salutes the result and pledges cooperation.
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