Queensland Govt. Retains Power

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30147, 3 June 1963, Page 11

Queensland Govt. Retains Power

(A.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

BRISBANE, June 2.

The Liberal-Country Party coalition retained power in the Queensland State election yesterday. When counting ended last night, it appeared the Government had lost two seats but had gained one in the 78-seat Legislature. The Australian Labour Party gained two seats.

The probable skate of the parties after the election, with the odd figures in parenthesis, is:—Liberal, 20 (19); Country Party, 26 ( 26), Australian Labour Party, 25 (27); Queensland Labour Party, 2 (1); Independents 4 (4); North Queensland Labour Party, 1 (1). ) The Liberal-Country Party coalition led by Mr Frank Nicklift will] be starting its third successive three-year term. It was elected in 1957 —after the Australian Labour Party had been in office for 25 years in the State—when the Labour forces split, resulting in the formation of the Queensland Labour Party The quiet campaign was fought mamly on local issues but the Brisbane “Sunday Mail” commented that the result would nevertheless give a “lift" to the Federal IJfoeral-Counitiry Party Government headed by Sir Robert Menzies, which has a majority of only one in the House of Representatives. The newspaper said ft "will be a lift of the size that miebt encourage the Prime .Minister to go to the people for a Federal vote

later this year—l2 months ahead of normal.” Mr Nicklin, who is 67, said early today he bad no thoughts of retiring.

In a by-electaon for the Federal House of Representatives held yesterday, the Australian Labour Party appears likely to retain the seat of Grey. South Australia, but its majority may be cut.

In the 1961 election, the Late Mr E. Russell retained the seat for Labour with art absolute majority of 6957 votes in a total about 42,000

Late last night, with threequarters of the votes counted. Mr J Mortimer (A.L.P.) had 19 430 votes. Mr V H Dvason < Liberal - Coun try Party > 14.961. Mr L F Kent (Independent) 1019 Mr R. J Mills (Democratic Labour) 899 and Mr D M Clark (Independent Labour) 556.