PM Transcripts

J; 4
FOR PRESS P. M. No 62/'-970
ELECTION RESULTfS
Comment by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
My warmest congratulations go to Sir Henry Bolte on leading
his Liberal Government back for its sixth term of office. Victoria can
be sure of a continuation of" stable, responsible and progressive Government
with Sir Henry and his Liberal team returned to the Treasury Benches.
I am sorry that Mr. Steele Hall was unsuccessful in South Australia.
He was a vigorous champion for his State, and had achieved much in his
two years of office. T here was little variation in voting trends compared
with the last state election in South Australia, but electoral redistribution
was a key factor in Labor's success.
The huge drop in ALP support was the feature of the by-election
in the A. C. T. The Labor Party's first preference vote was down by a
staggering 31 percent fromn 67. 72 percent in, the General Election seven
months ago to 36.06 percent on the votes counted so far. To some
extent, this is a tribute to the personal popularity and standing of the
previous Labor member, the late Mr. Jim Fraser. But such a massive
defection must be cause for concern for the Labor Party.
Despite the field of seven candidates, the Liberal candidate,
Mr. Hermes, has improved marginally the vote for his Party, compared
with the General Election last year. However, it is disappointing that
more of the former Labor vote did not come to us.
For the first time since Jim Fraser entered the Parliament in
1951, the election in the A. C. T. will be decided on preferences, and
so it will be some days before the result is known..
CANBERRA 31 May 1970