Australian legislative election, 1987

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Legislative elections were held in Australia on July 11, 1987, between Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke, leader of the Australian Labor Party, Opposition Leader John Howard, leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, and National Party of Australia leader Ian Sinclair. All 148 seats in the House of Representatives as well as all 76 seats in the Senate were up for election. This election was the most recent of the six Double Dissolution elections. The trigger for the Double Dissolution was legislation for the Australia Card, although it did not figure prominently in the campaign.

The election resulted in the re-election of the Hawke Labor government.

The election is unusual in retrospect, as it was the last time the Liberal Party of Australia and National Party of Australia competed directly against each other in a federal election. This was due to the abortive Joh for Canberra campaign of Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Peterson. Although Bjelke-Peterson did not run, the resulting schism between the Nationals and Liberals led to several three-cornered contests. Labor campaigned strongly on the disunity among the opposition parties.

The final results showed an increased majority for Hawke. Following the election, the Liberal-National coalition was renewed.

National Summary

House of Representatives
Party Votes % Swing Seats Change
Australian Labor Party 4,222,431 45.76 -1.79 86 +4
Liberal Party of Australia 3,175,262 34.41 +0.35 43 -2
National Party of Australia 1,060,976 11.50 +0.87 19 -2
Australian Democrats 554,017 6.00 +0.55 0 0
Country Liberal Party 21,668 0.23 -0.09 0 0
Other 189,975 2.06 +0.07 0 0
Total 9,227,772 148

**House of Representatives**
Party	Votes	%	Swing	Seats	Change
Australian Labor Party	4,222,431	45.76	-1.79	86	+4
Liberal Party of Australia	3,175,262	34.41	+0.35	43	-2
National Party of Australia	1,060,976	11.50	+0.87	19	-2
Australian Democrats	554,017	6.00	+0.55	0	0
Country Liberal Party	21,668	0.23	-0.09	0	0
Other	189,975	2.06	+0.07	0	0
Total	9,227,772			148

Senate
Party Votes % Swing Seats Won Seats Held
Australian Labor Party 4,013,860 42.83 +0.66 32 32
Liberal Party of Australia 1,965,180 20.97 +0.38 23 26
Liberal/National (Joint Ticket) 1,289,888 13.76 +1.05 5
Australian Democrats 794,107 8.47 +0.85 7 7
National Party of Australia 664,394 7.09 +1.16 5 7
Call to Australia Party 136,825 1.46 -0.36 0 0
Nuclear Disarmament Party 102,480 1.09 -6.14 1 1
Vallentine Peace Group 40,048 0.43 +0.43 1 1
Harradine Group 37,037 0.40 +0.14 1 1
Country Liberal Party 19,970 0.21 -0.10 1 1
Other 307,892 3.29 +1.93 0 0
Total 9,371,681 76 76
Note: As this was a Double Dissolution election no Senate seats were heldover from the previous Senate.

**Senate**
Party	Votes	%	Swing	Seats Won	Seats Held
Australian Labor Party	4,013,860	42.83	+0.66	32	32
Liberal Party of Australia	1,965,180	20.97	+0.38	23	26
Liberal/National (Joint Ticket)	1,289,888	13.76	+1.05	5
Australian Democrats	794,107	8.47	+0.85	7	7
National Party of Australia	664,394	7.09	+1.16	5	7
Call to Australia Party	136,825	1.46	-0.36	0	0
Nuclear Disarmament Party	102,480	1.09	-6.14	1	1
Vallentine Peace Group	40,048	0.43	+0.43	1	1
Harradine Group	37,037	0.40	+0.14	1	1
Country Liberal Party	19,970	0.21	-0.10	1	1
Other	307,892	3.29	+1.93	0	0
Total	9,371,681			76	76

References

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