South Australian state election, 1902

South Australian state election, 1902

3 May 1902 (1902-05-03)
All 42 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly 22 seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader John Jenkins unknown Thomas Price Party Liberal Conservative Labor Leader since 15 May 1901 - 1899 Leader's seat Torrens - Torrens Last election - 11 seats 11 seats Seats won - 17 seats 5 seats Seat change - 6 6 Percentage - 24.3% 19.9% Swing - 5.9 5.5
Premier before election John Jenkins Liberal Elected Premier John Jenkins Liberal

State elections were held in South Australia on 3 May 1902. All 42 seats in the South Australian House of Assembly were up for election. The House had a reduction of 12 seats compared to the previous election. The incumbent liberal government led by Premier of South Australia John Jenkins in an informal coalition with the conservatives defeated the United Labor Party (ULP) led by Thomas Price. Each of the 13 districts elected multiple members, with voters casting multiple votes.

Following the 1899 election, Kingston tried again for franchise reform. The Assembly voted against the measure and Kingston resigned his ministry. He was replaced by Vaiben Louis Solomon for a brief period of seven days, when Frederick Holder formed a government which, for the first time, included a ULP member, Lee Batchelor.

The parliament was transformed by the impact of federation. Seven leading members of the Assembly resigned and were elected to the Parliament of Australia. As a result, there were 11 by-elections in this period. The Assembly was reduced in numbers, from 54 to 42. A redistribution was carried out following these changes, to produce a chamber elected from 13 districts - one 5-member, two four-member, nine 3-member and one 2-member electorates. The election was a "new start" for the parliament.

There was no "Liberal" or "Kingston" party, but there was a relatively cohesive Kingston group among both independent members and candidates. The Liberal and Democratic Union would not be formed until the 1906 election.

House of Assembly (FPTP) — Turnout 60.3% (Non-CV) — Informal 1.3%

	Party	Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
	Australasian National League	61,768	24.3	+5.9	17	+6
	United Labor Party	48,515	19.9	–5.5	5	–6
	Independent	143,916	56.6	+0.4	20	–12
	Total	254,199			42	–12
	Liberal/National League coalition	WIN
	United Labor Party

See also

• Members of the South Australian House of Assembly, 1902–1905
• Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1902–1905

References

• History of South Australian elections 1857-2006, volume 1: ECSA
• Statistical Record of the Legislature 1836-2007: SA Parliament
• State and federal election results in Australia since 1890

External links

• The 13 electorates from 1902 to 1915: The Adelaide Chronicle