Victoria Govt. Retains Office

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30479, 29 June 1964, Page 13

Victoria Govt. Retains Office

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE, June 28.

The Liberal Country Party Government in Victoria was returned to office for a fourth consecutive term at the State General Elections yesterday.

On behalf of the Labour Party, the Victorian A.L.P. president, Mr R. W. Holt, conceded a Government victory as early as 10.15 p.m. The A.L.P.’s disappointment at the result was heightened by the fact that the State Opposition leader, Mr C. P. Stoneham, is fighting desperately to hold his seat in Midlands. When the count closed last night it appeared that two Country seats—Kara Kara and

Lowan—were in doubt, and might be lost by the Government to the Country Party. The Government has a chance of winning Bendigo from Labour. This would mean that even if it lost both Kara Kara and Lowan it would still have 38 members and a majority of 10.

Mr Bolte said there was no doubt his Government had been given a strong mandate to continue in office. He added: “The most pleasing aspect is that we have a definite chance of winning Doutta Galla and Bendigo seats in the Legislative Council, which would give the Government a majority in both Houses for the first time. “That is what we want to pass the legislation for which the electors have given us a mandate.”