Chamber:
	Senate
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	24 March 1990
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in the House of Representatives and for half (40) of those in the Senate following premature dissolution of the House on 19 February 1990. General elections had previously been held in July 1987.
Background and outcome of elections:
	The election date was set on 16 February 1990 and the House of Representatives was dissolved on 19 February; its term was not due to expire until 14 September 1990. The principal reason for the dissolution given by the Prime Minister was the desirability of synchronizing the election for the House with that of half of the Senate, which had to be held in time for new Senators to take their places on 1 July 1990. Throughout the election campaign, Prime Minister Bob Hawke (Australian Labor Party – ALP) emphasized the competence, unity and stability of his Government; underscored the importance of the Wages Accord (an arrangement between the Government and peak union and employer organizations relating to wage-fixing policy) in bringing industrial harmony to the Australian economy; and the Government’s record with regard to making difficult economic decisions. Mr. Andrew Peacock, leader of the main opposition Liberal Party, focused on the economic conditions and, in contrast to the Government’s wages policy, stressed the opposition’s proposals to deregulate the Australian labour market. Altogether 738 candidates ran for the 148 Representatives’ seats. The five-week campaign was marked by widespread disillusionment with the major parties by the electorate, and a large number of independent and special interest candidates stood for election to both Houses. This disillusionment manifested itself in the election results, which remained unclear for several days. There was speculation in the media that there could be a "hung Parliament". Eventually the Government was returned with a reduced majority over the conservative Liberal-National Party coalition, although much of the gain in the popular vote went to the Australian Democrats party. The poll also witnessed the election, for the first time since 1966, of an independent candidate to the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister Hawke embarked on an unprecedented fourth successive term of office and his new 17-member Cabinet was appointed on 3 April.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (24 March 1990): Elections results
Voters	10,278,830
Blank or invalid ballot papers	349,065
Valid votes	9,929,765

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Seats won at 1990 Elections
Australian Labor Party	32	15
Liberal Party	29*	17*
National Party	5	2
Australian Democrats	8	5
Western Australia Green Party	1	1
Independents	1	0

Comments:
	* Includes one Senator from the Country Liberal Party.

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	59
Women:	59