1929 Australian federal election

Conflict over industrial relations had dominated Stanley Bruce's government in 1929. Strikes and unrest in Newcastle and Hunter Region coalfields were the most widespread and severe, but disturbances within the waterfront, sugar, transport and timber industries were also ongoing. Throughout 1928 and 1929 economic conditions in Australia and internationally had been declining, whilst Australian debt had grown and revenues had shrunk. Facing major challenges, Bruce had embarked upon extensive negotiations throughout 1929 to tighten federal control over finance and industrial relations and to implement ameliorating policies in concert with the states. Instead, the Nationalist premiers met separately and demanded that Bruce return control of industrial arbitration to the individual states.[1]

In August these issues came to a head. On 14 August, a motion of no-confidence was moved by Labor in response to Bruce's decision earlier in the year to drop prosecution of mine-owner John Brown for his part in the coalmine lock-outs in the Hunter Valley. The motion was defeated, but Billy Hughes and Edward Mann crossed the floor on the motion. Bruce subsequently excluded them from participating in party meetings. Bruce then introduced the Maritime Industries Bill, which would abolish the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration and make arbitration the exclusive domain of the states. In concert, Earle Page brought down his seventh and most stringent budget, which introduced new taxes and spending cuts in an attempt to fight the ballooning deficit. Both moves were highly controversial.[2]

Hughes and Mann joined the opposition in denouncing the bill, and were joined by rebelling Nationalist George Maxwell and independent Percy Stewart. At the second reading of the bill in September, it was apparent that it would narrowly pass. However, when the bill entered the committee stage, Hughes moved an amendment that the bill should not be proclaimed until submitted to the people, either by referendum or general election. Attorney-General John Latham noted that the Commonwealth had no power to call a referendum, making general election the only constitutionally valid result of the amendment. Bruce agreed, stating that the amendment would constitute a vote of confidence in his government.[3] The amendment had the support of the opposition, as well as the three Nationalist defectors. Independents Stewart and William McWilliams also indicated their support. The critical vote came down to Nationalist Walter Marks, who was known to be a supporter of the bill but unhappy with the government's handling of the movie industry, of which he was an ardent supporter. The new budget's "amusement tax" (which would harm film exhibitors) appeared to be the last straw, and Marks joined to defectors to vote for the amendment.[4]

With the vote now likely 35-34 in favor of the amendment, the Government was faced with a dilemma. The Chairman of Committees, Nationalist James Bayley, could not cast a deliberative vote in committee, only a casting vote if the numbers were tied. However, it was possible for the Speaker, Nationalist Sir Littleton Groom, to cast a deliberative vote in the committee (though not on the floor of the House, where the Speaker has only a casting vote). Bruce implored Groom to vote against the amendment in committee so that Bayley could defeat the measure with his tie-breaking vote. However, Groom was steadfast that he would follow the British House of Commons (though not Australian) precedent that the Speaker remain impartial and not vote in committee. There was also some suspicion of vengeance in his decision, as Groom had been demoted from Attorney-General to Speaker a few years previously, a move he had reputedly been unhappy about.[5] With Groom abstaining, the amendment passed by one vote as predicted. Treating the passage of the amendment as a defeat in a motion of no-confidence, Bruce announced to the House on 12 September that the Governor-General had accepted his advice to call an election,[6] despite some speculation a government led by John Latham, James Scullin, or Billy Hughes might be attempted.

  Nationalist: 14 seats

  Labor: 46 seats

  Country: 10 seats

  Country Progressive: 1 seat

  Independent: 4 seats

Notes

• Independents: Billy Hughes (North Sydney, NSW), George Maxwell (Fawkner, Vic.), Walter Marks (Wentworth, NSW), William McWilliams (Franklin, Tas.)
• Nine members were elected unopposed – six Labor and three Country.
• No separate Senate election was held – see here for Senate composition.

• Candidates of the Australian federal election, 1929
• Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1929-1931

• University of WA election results in Australia since 1890
• Two-party-preferred vote since 1919