1971 Western Australian state election


Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 20 February 1971 to elect all 51 members to the Legislative Assembly and 15 members to the 30-seat Legislative Council. The four-term Liberal-Country Party coalition government, led by Premier David Brand, was defeated by the Labor Party, led by Opposition Leader John Tonkin.
This was the first election in which no seats were uncontested since the introduction of responsible government in 1890. This was partly due to the Democratic Labor Party deciding to contest every seat up for election in both Houses.
There was a large increase in the number of electors, because this was the first election after 18 year olds had been given the vote.

Results

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Post-election pendulum

LABOR SEATS ---
Marginal---
MirrabookaArthur TonkinALP1.7%
KarrinyupStan LaphamALP2.0%
Merredin-YilgarnJim BrownALP2.7%
ToodyayJames MoilerALP3.6%
AlbanyWyndham CookALP5.1%
ClontarfDonald MayALP5.5%
Fairly safe---
Mount HawthornRon BertramALP7.4%
GeraldtonBill SewellALP8.3%
CanningTom BatemanALP8.6%
MaylandsJohn HarmanALP9.4%
PerthTerry BurkeALP9.9%
Safe---
NorthamKen GabbALP11.3% v IND
GascoyneDaniel NortonALP11.8%
PilbaraArthur BickertonALP13.5% v DLP
MelvilleJohn TonkinALP15.6%
BelmontColin JamiesonALP16.1% v IND
BalcattaHerb GrahamALP16.6% v DLP
FremantleHarry FletcherALP17.3%
KalgoorlieTom EvansALP20.0%
WarrenDavid EvansALP21.9%
Victoria ParkRon DaviesALP25.2% v DLP
SwanJohn BradyALP25.5% v DLP
AscotMerv TomsALP25.8% v DLP
Boulder-DundasTom HartreyALP28.5% v IND
CollieTom JonesALP29.8%
CockburnDon TaylorALP32.0% v DLP