New South Wales state election, 1956
Encyclopedia
The 1956 New South Wales state election was held on 3 March 1956. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting
and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution. The election was for all of the 94 seats in the Legislative Assembly
.
who had won a land-slide victory at the 1953
election had been premier for 4 years. Cahill, who was commonly known as "old smoothie" had been a popular premier and had shown some flair in leadership by announcing a design competition for the Sydney Opera House
in September 1955. However, nationally the Labor party was divided on sectarian and ideological grounds. In Victoria, many members of the predominantly Catholic right-wing of the party had left the party and joined the nascent Democratic Labor Party
(DLP). Cahill was desperate to keep the New South Wales branch of the ALP united. He achieved this by controlling the anti-DLP faction led by his ex-minister Clive Evatt
(brother of H V Evatt) while at the same time keeping the right-wing faction within the party. Cahill's attempts at unity were assisted by the state's Catholic hierarchy who were less politically involved than their Victorian counterparts under Daniel Mannix
. As a result, the effects of this split were not as severe in New South Wales and the DLP did not contest the 1956 state election. However, the split did have a signifiant effect on the Labor Party's vote and contributed to the loss of the seat of Waratah.
Labor's election promises included making the supply of state housing a top priority, reviving the State Bank
which had been under the control of the federal government since 1932 and revitalizing the state's railways including the long delayed Eastern Suburbs line.
The coalition of the Liberal Party
and Country Party
coalition continued to suffer from leadership issues. Murray Robson had replaced Vernon Treatt
as the Liberal Party leader and Leader of the Opposition
in August 1954, but had proved inept for the position and was replaced by Pat Morton
as leader in September 1955. Morton was a somewhat aloof figure, with a public presence more typical of pre-war conservative politicians, and found it difficult to connect with the public. Michael Bruxner
continued as the leader of the Country Party
.
The opposition campaigned on the government's broken promises and uncompleted public works as well as resentment against compulsory unionism and the implementation of the Cumberland Plan, which reserved a large area of the Sydney Basin from development. The coalition promised that the state transport system would be run along the lines of private enterprise and cease to be a drain on the state's budget. Bruxner called Cahill's plans a death bed repentance with no incentives for rural development..
The results gave Labor a parliamentary buffer of 3 seats plus the usual support of Tom Armstrong.
Labor losses were largely confined to the marginal or usually conservative seats that it had unexpectedly won at the 1953
election including Armidale
, Coogee
, Drummoyne
, Georges River
, Parramatta
, and Sutherland
. Labor regained the seat of Hartley
from Independent Labor member Jim Chalmers
who unsuccessfully contested Nepean
as an independent. The loss of the usually safe seat of Waratah was a shock for Labor and was caused by a number of factors. The popular Labor incumbent Robert Cameron had retired and after a bitter pre-selection battle, Labor endorsed a Tighes Hill butcher, Harry Sheedy. Sheedy was a member of the socialist wing of the party and, at a time when the party was split on sectarian and ideological grounds, was disliked by many among the large and usually Labor voting Catholic population in the electorate. His main opponent and the winner of the seat was the independent, Frank Purdue
who was prominent in local Government and the popular Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
‡ The seat of Kahibah
was won by Independent Labor candidate Tom Armstrong
at the 1953
by-election caused by the resignation of Labor's Joshua Arthur
triumph at this election ensured that he remained premier during the course of the parliament. Pat Morton
remained Leader of the Opposition
but Michael Bruxner
finally retired as Leader of the New South Wales National Party, a position he had held since 1932 and was replaced by Davis Hughes
in 1958. During the parliament there were 6 by-elections. This led to changes in party representation in Kahibah where the endorsed Labor candidate Jack Stewart
won the by-election caused by the death of the Independent Labor incumbent Tom Armstrong
and in Wagga Wagga the Liberal's Wal Fife
won the by-election caused by the death of the Labor incumbent Eddie Graham
. These results effectively reduced the government's majority by 1.
Instant-runoff voting
Instant-runoff voting , also known as preferential voting, the alternative vote and ranked choice voting, is a voting system used to elect one winner. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and their ballots are counted as one vote for their first choice candidate. If a candidate secures a...
and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution. The election was for all of the 94 seats in the Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
.
Issues
In March 1956, Labor had been in power for 15 years and Joseph CahillJoseph Cahill
John Joseph Cahill was Premier of New South Wales in Australia from 1952 to 1959. He is best remembered as the Premier who approved construction on the Sydney Opera House, and for his work increasing the authority of local government in the state.-Early years:Joe Cahill, as he was popularly known,...
who had won a land-slide victory at the 1953
New South Wales state election, 1953
The 1953 New South Wales state election was held on 14 February 1953. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution...
election had been premier for 4 years. Cahill, who was commonly known as "old smoothie" had been a popular premier and had shown some flair in leadership by announcing a design competition for the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
in September 1955. However, nationally the Labor party was divided on sectarian and ideological grounds. In Victoria, many members of the predominantly Catholic right-wing of the party had left the party and joined the nascent Democratic Labor Party
Democratic Labor Party (historical)
The Democratic Labor Party was an Australian political party that existed from 1955 until 1978.-History:The DLP was formed as a result of a split in the Australian Labor Party that began in 1954. The split was between the party's national leadership, under the then party leader Dr H.V...
(DLP). Cahill was desperate to keep the New South Wales branch of the ALP united. He achieved this by controlling the anti-DLP faction led by his ex-minister Clive Evatt
Clive Evatt
Clive Evatt QC was an Australian politician, barrister and raconteur. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1939 until 1959. At various times he sat as a member of the Industrial Labor Party, ALP and as an independent.-Early life:Evatt was born in Maitland and was the...
(brother of H V Evatt) while at the same time keeping the right-wing faction within the party. Cahill's attempts at unity were assisted by the state's Catholic hierarchy who were less politically involved than their Victorian counterparts under Daniel Mannix
Daniel Mannix
Daniel Mannix was an Irish-born Australian Catholic bishop. Mannix was the Archbishop of Melbourne for 46 years and one of the most influential public figures in 20th century Australia....
. As a result, the effects of this split were not as severe in New South Wales and the DLP did not contest the 1956 state election. However, the split did have a signifiant effect on the Labor Party's vote and contributed to the loss of the seat of Waratah.
Labor's election promises included making the supply of state housing a top priority, reviving the State Bank
State Bank of New South Wales
The State Bank of New South Wales was a bank that was owned by the Government of New South Wales. It existed from 1933 until 2000, when it was taken over by the Commonwealth Bank....
which had been under the control of the federal government since 1932 and revitalizing the state's railways including the long delayed Eastern Suburbs line.
The coalition of the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
and Country Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
coalition continued to suffer from leadership issues. Murray Robson had replaced Vernon Treatt
Vernon Treatt
Sir Vernon Haddon Treatt KBE, MM, QC was an Australian lawyer, soldier, Rhodes Scholar and politician. Born in Singleton, New South Wales and educated at Shore School, Treatt interrupted his studies at the University of Sydney to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War...
as the Liberal Party leader and Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)
The role of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in New South Wales is a title held by the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
in August 1954, but had proved inept for the position and was replaced by Pat Morton
Pat Morton
Philip Henry Morton was an Australian businessman and politician. Born in Lismore in Northern New South Wales to a prominent political family and educated at Lismore High School, Morton left school at fourteen to be employed in a legal firm, before branching out into various businesses...
as leader in September 1955. Morton was a somewhat aloof figure, with a public presence more typical of pre-war conservative politicians, and found it difficult to connect with the public. Michael Bruxner
Michael Bruxner
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Michael Frederick Bruxner KBE, DSO, JP was an Australian politician and soldier, serving for many years as Leader of the Country Party and its predecessors...
continued as the leader of the Country Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
.
The opposition campaigned on the government's broken promises and uncompleted public works as well as resentment against compulsory unionism and the implementation of the Cumberland Plan, which reserved a large area of the Sydney Basin from development. The coalition promised that the state transport system would be run along the lines of private enterprise and cease to be a drain on the state's budget. Bruxner called Cahill's plans a death bed repentance with no incentives for rural development..
Results
The result of the election was a clear victory for Labor despite a net loss of 7 seats:- Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
50 seats - Independent Labor 1 seat
- LiberalLiberal Party of AustraliaThe Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
27 seats - Country PartyNational Party of AustraliaThe National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
15 seats - Independent 1 seat
The results gave Labor a parliamentary buffer of 3 seats plus the usual support of Tom Armstrong.
Labor losses were largely confined to the marginal or usually conservative seats that it had unexpectedly won at the 1953
New South Wales state election, 1953
The 1953 New South Wales state election was held on 14 February 1953. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution...
election including Armidale
Electoral district of Armidale
Armidale was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1894, partly replacing New England, and named after and including Armidale. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Northern...
, Coogee
Electoral district of Coogee
Coogee is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Bruce Notley-Smith of the Liberal Party.-Members for Coogee:-Election results:...
, Drummoyne
Electoral district of Drummoyne
Drummoyne is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by John Sidoti of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
, Georges River
Electoral district of Georges River
Georges River was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1930 to 2007. It was replaced by Oatley.-Members for Georges River:-Election results:...
, Parramatta
Electoral district of Parramatta
Parramatta is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently held by Geoff Lee of the Liberal Party of Australia....
, and Sutherland
Electoral district of Sutherland
Sutherland was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1950 to 1971 before it was abolished. The seat was reformed in 1988 until 1999...
. Labor regained the seat of Hartley
Electoral district of Hartley (New South Wales)
Hartley was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1859 in the Lithgow area and named after the town of Hartley, near Lithgow. It replaced part of Cook and Westmoreland. From 1891 to 1894, it elected two members...
from Independent Labor member Jim Chalmers
Jim Chalmers
Jim Chalmers was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1947 until 1956 . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party until he resigned from the party in 1952 and then sat as an independent Labor member.Chalmers was born in Lanarkshire,...
who unsuccessfully contested Nepean
Electoral district of Nepean (New South Wales)
Nepean was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1859, and named after the Nepean River. It was abolished in 1904 with the downsizing of the Assembly after Federation. Nepean was recreated in 1927 and abolished again in...
as an independent. The loss of the usually safe seat of Waratah was a shock for Labor and was caused by a number of factors. The popular Labor incumbent Robert Cameron had retired and after a bitter pre-selection battle, Labor endorsed a Tighes Hill butcher, Harry Sheedy. Sheedy was a member of the socialist wing of the party and, at a time when the party was split on sectarian and ideological grounds, was disliked by many among the large and usually Labor voting Catholic population in the electorate. His main opponent and the winner of the seat was the independent, Frank Purdue
Frank Purdue
Frank Outen Jensen Purdue was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1956 until 1962 and again between 1964 and 1965. He was prominent in local Government and was Lord Mayor of Newcastle, NSW for 9 years between 1951 and 1965...
who was prominent in local Government and the popular Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Seats changing party representation
| Seat | Incumbent member | |Party | New member | |Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armidale Electoral district of Armidale Armidale was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1894, partly replacing New England, and named after and including Armidale. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Northern... |
Jim Cahill Jim Cahill James Edward Cahill was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for one term from 1953 until 1956. He was also an indirectly elected member of the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1965 and 1970... |
Labor | Davis Hughes Davis Hughes Sir Davis Hughes was an Australian politician and bureaucrat.-Early life:Hughes was born in Launceston, Tasmania and was educated at Launceston High School and the University of Tasmania, although he did not graduate. He married Joan Johnson in 1940 and they had issue one son and two daughters... |
Country Party National Party of Australia The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is... |
||
| Coogee Electoral district of Coogee Coogee is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Bruce Notley-Smith of the Liberal Party.-Members for Coogee:-Election results:... |
Lou Walsh Lou Walsh Louis Andrew Walsh was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1953 and 1956 and again between 1962 and 1965. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party.-Early life:... |
Labor | Kevin Ellis Kevin Ellis (Australian politician) Sir Kevin William Collin Ellis KBE was an Australian politician, elected as a Liberal member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.... |
Liberal | ||
| Drummoyne Electoral district of Drummoyne Drummoyne is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by John Sidoti of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:... |
Roy Jackson Roy Jackson (politician) Roy Stanley Jackson was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for a single term between 1953 and 1956. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party .... |
Labor | Walter Lawrence Walter Lawrence Walter Richard Lawrence MBE was an Australian politician. He was the Liberal member for Drummoyne in the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1956 to 1962.... |
Liberal | ||
| Georges River Electoral district of Georges River Georges River was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1930 to 2007. It was replaced by Oatley.-Members for Georges River:-Election results:... |
Frank O'Neill Frank O'Neill (politician) Frank O'Neill was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for a single term between 1953 and 1956. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party .... |
Labor | Douglas Cross Douglas Cross Douglas Donald Cross was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1948 until 1953 and from 1956 until his death . He was a member of the Liberal Party of Australia.... |
Liberal | ||
| Hartley Electoral district of Hartley (New South Wales) Hartley was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1859 in the Lithgow area and named after the town of Hartley, near Lithgow. It replaced part of Cook and Westmoreland. From 1891 to 1894, it elected two members... |
Jim Chalmers Jim Chalmers Jim Chalmers was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1947 until 1956 . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party until he resigned from the party in 1952 and then sat as an independent Labor member.Chalmers was born in Lanarkshire,... |
Independent Labor | James Robson Jim Robson (politician) James Hutchins "Jim" Robson was an Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Hartley in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1956 to 1965.... |
Labor | ||
| Kahibah Electoral district of Kahibah Kahibah was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales created in 1894 with the abolition of multi-member districts from part of the electoral district of Newcastle and named after the Newcastle suburb of Kahibah. It was abolished in 1920, with the... |
‡ | Labor | Tom Armstrong Tom Armstrong (1903-1957) Tom Armstrong was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Parliament from 1953 until his death in 1957. He was independent but generally supported the Australian Labor Party government of Joseph Cahill. Armstrong was born and educated to elementary level in Lambton, New... |
Independent Labor | ||
| Parramatta Electoral district of Parramatta Parramatta is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently held by Geoff Lee of the Liberal Party of Australia.... |
Kevin Morgan Kevin Morgan (Australian politician) Kevin Barry Morgan was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for a single term between 1953 and 1956. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party .... |
Labor | James Clough | Liberal | ||
| Sutherland Electoral district of Sutherland Sutherland was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1950 to 1971 before it was abolished. The seat was reformed in 1988 until 1999... |
Tom Dalton Tom Dalton Thomas William Dalton was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1953 until 1956 and from 1959 until 1968. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party .-Early life:... |
Labor | Ian Griffith Ian Griffith Ian Ross Griffith was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1956 until 1978... |
Liberal | ||
| Waratah | Robert Cameron | Labor | Frank Purdue Frank Purdue Frank Outen Jensen Purdue was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1956 until 1962 and again between 1964 and 1965. He was prominent in local Government and was Lord Mayor of Newcastle, NSW for 9 years between 1951 and 1965... |
Independent |
‡ The seat of Kahibah
Electoral district of Kahibah
Kahibah was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales created in 1894 with the abolition of multi-member districts from part of the electoral district of Newcastle and named after the Newcastle suburb of Kahibah. It was abolished in 1920, with the...
was won by Independent Labor candidate Tom Armstrong
Tom Armstrong (1903-1957)
Tom Armstrong was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Parliament from 1953 until his death in 1957. He was independent but generally supported the Australian Labor Party government of Joseph Cahill. Armstrong was born and educated to elementary level in Lambton, New...
at the 1953
Kahibah state by-election, 1953
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Kahibah on 31 October 1953. It was triggered by the forced resignation of Labor MLA Joshua Arthur, and was won by independent candidate Tom Armstrong.-Background:...
by-election caused by the resignation of Labor's Joshua Arthur
Joshua Arthur
Joshua George Arthur was an Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Hamilton and the Electoral district of Kahibah for the Australian Labor Party.-Early life:...
Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 February 1956 | The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election. |
| 10 February 1956 | Nominations for candidates for the election closed at noon. |
| 3 March 1956 | Polling day. |
| 5 April 1956 | Last day for the writs to be returned and the results formally declared. |
| 10 April 1956 | Opening of 38th Parliament. |
Tabulated Results
|}- There were 1,846,859 enrolled voters in 86 contested electorates and 164,399 were enrolled in 8 uncontested electorates (2 Labor, 3 Liberal and 3 Country ).
Aftermath
Joe Cahill'sJoseph Cahill
John Joseph Cahill was Premier of New South Wales in Australia from 1952 to 1959. He is best remembered as the Premier who approved construction on the Sydney Opera House, and for his work increasing the authority of local government in the state.-Early years:Joe Cahill, as he was popularly known,...
triumph at this election ensured that he remained premier during the course of the parliament. Pat Morton
Pat Morton
Philip Henry Morton was an Australian businessman and politician. Born in Lismore in Northern New South Wales to a prominent political family and educated at Lismore High School, Morton left school at fourteen to be employed in a legal firm, before branching out into various businesses...
remained Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)
The role of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in New South Wales is a title held by the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
but Michael Bruxner
Michael Bruxner
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Michael Frederick Bruxner KBE, DSO, JP was an Australian politician and soldier, serving for many years as Leader of the Country Party and its predecessors...
finally retired as Leader of the New South Wales National Party, a position he had held since 1932 and was replaced by Davis Hughes
Davis Hughes
Sir Davis Hughes was an Australian politician and bureaucrat.-Early life:Hughes was born in Launceston, Tasmania and was educated at Launceston High School and the University of Tasmania, although he did not graduate. He married Joan Johnson in 1940 and they had issue one son and two daughters...
in 1958. During the parliament there were 6 by-elections. This led to changes in party representation in Kahibah where the endorsed Labor candidate Jack Stewart
Jack Stewart
Jack Stewart may refer to:*Jack Stewart , New Zealand diver*Jack Stewart , former National Hockey League player*Jack Stewart , former member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly...
won the by-election caused by the death of the Independent Labor incumbent Tom Armstrong
Tom Armstrong (1903-1957)
Tom Armstrong was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Parliament from 1953 until his death in 1957. He was independent but generally supported the Australian Labor Party government of Joseph Cahill. Armstrong was born and educated to elementary level in Lambton, New...
and in Wagga Wagga the Liberal's Wal Fife
Wal Fife
Wallace Clyde Fife is a former Australian politician.Fife was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, and was educated at Gurwood Street public school, Wagga Wagga and Canberra Grammar School. In 1948 he started working in the federal secretariat of the Liberal Party of Australia and in 1949 he...
won the by-election caused by the death of the Labor incumbent Eddie Graham
Eddie Graham (politician)
The Hon. Edgar Hugh Graham was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until his death . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party and held numerous ministerial positions...
. These results effectively reduced the government's majority by 1.
See also
- Candidates of the New South Wales state election, 1956Candidates of the New South Wales state election, 1956This is a list of candidates of the 1956 New South Wales state election. The election was held on 3 March 1956.-Retiring Members:Note: Labor MLA Edgar Dring died in December 1955; no by-election was held due to the proximity of the election.-Labor:...
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1956–1959Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1956–1959This is a list of members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1956 to 1959, as elected at the 1956 state election:...