1968 Australian Labor Party leadership spill

A leadership spill in the Australian Labor Party, the party of opposition in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 30 April 1968. It followed leader Gough Whitlam's decision to resign the leadership following the party executives refusal to seat new Tasmanian delegate Brian Harradine, to which Whitlam demanded a vote of confidence from his caucus. Whitlam received 38 votes to left-winger Jim Cairns' 32 in an unexpectedly close poll.^[1]

Candidates[]

Jim Cairns, Member of the ALP Caucus Executive, Member for Yarra
Gough Whitlam, incumbent Leader, Member for Werriwa

Results[]

The following table gives the ballot results:

Name		Votes	Percentage
	Gough Whitlam	38	54.28
	Jim Cairns	32	45.72

References[]

^ Gaul, Jonathan (1 May 1968). "Leadership Vote Fails to Heal A.L.P. Dispute: Whitlam faces new left-wing revolt". The Canberra Times. p. 1.

[1] Gaul, Jonathan (1 May 1968). "Leadership Vote Fails to Heal A.L.P. Dispute: Whitlam faces new left-wing revolt". The Canberra Times. p. 1.

[1]

v t Australian Labor Party
Leaders	Chris Watson Andrew Fisher Billy Hughes Frank Tudor Matthew Charlton James Scullin John Curtin Ben Chifley H. V. Evatt Arthur Calwell Gough Whitlam Bill Hayden Bob Hawke Paul Keating Kim Beazley Simon Crean Mark Latham Kim Beazley Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd Bill Shorten Anthony Albanese
Deputy leaders	Gregor McGregor Billy Hughes George Pearce Albert Gardiner James Scullin Arthur Blakeley Ted Theodore Frank Forde H. V. Evatt Arthur Calwell Gough Whitlam Lance Barnard Jim Cairns Frank Crean Tom Uren Lionel Bowen Paul Keating Brian Howe Kim Beazley Gareth Evans Simon Crean Jenny Macklin Julia Gillard Wayne Swan Anthony Albanese Tanya Plibersek Richard Marles
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