1993 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

A spill of the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia took place on March 23, 1993, following the 1993 federal election. The spill was won by incumbent leader John Hewson over former leader John Howard by 47 votes to 30 while backbencher Bruce Reid attracted only one sole vote, presumably his own. For the Deputy leadership Michael Wooldridge won against Peter Costello.[1][2]

Liberal Party of Australia
Leadership spill, 1993

← 1990 23 March 1993 1994 →
 
LIB
Candidate John Hewson John Howard Bruce Reid
Caucus vote 47 30 1
Percentage 60.2% 38.4% 1.4%
Seat Wentworth (NSW) Bennelong (NSW) Bendigo (Vic.)

Leader before election

John Hewson

Elected Leader

John Hewson

Background edit

After John Hewson was blamed for losing the 1993 "unloseable election" because of his staunch promotion of a Goods and Services Tax and an inability to sell his policies to voters, Hewson initially stated he would not recontest but was convinced to do so to block John Howard from winning.

Candidates edit

Results edit

Liberal Party of Australia
deputy leadership ballot, 1993
 
← 1990
1994 →
 
LIB
 
Candidate Michael Wooldridge Peter Costello
Final ballot 45 (57.1%) 33 (42.9%)
Seat Casey (Vic.) Higgins (Vic.)

Deputy Leader before election

Peter Reith

Elected Deputy Leader

Michael Wooldridge

The following tables gives the ballot results:

Leadership ballot edit

Name Votes Percentage
John Hewson 47 60.2
John Howard 30 38.4
Bruce Reid 1 1.4

Deputy leadership ballot edit

Candidate Final ballot %
Michael Wooldridge 45 57.1
Peter Costello 33 42.9

Other candidates in order of elimination:[3]

Aftermath edit

Over the following year Hewson's leadership was undermined by the likes of Peter Costello[4] and Bronwyn Bishop. This led to his defeat in May 1994 by Alexander Downer.

References edit

  1. ^ "Politics will get you". The Liberals. Episode 5. 1995.
  2. ^ The Canberra Times, March 24, 1993
  3. ^ "Hewson pledges change, but still hails Fightback". Canberra Times (Act : 1926 - 1995). 24 March 1993. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Out of the rough: Kennett and Kroger end feud". The Age. 22 June 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2013.