1962 Western Australian state election


Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 31 March 1962 to elect all 50 members to the Legislative Assembly. The [Liberal and National Party of Australia (WA)|Country League (Western Australia)|Liberal]-Country coalition government, led by Premier Sir David Brand, won a second term in office against the [Australian Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch)|Labor Party (Western Australian Branch)|Labor Party], led by Opposition Leader Albert Hawke.
The election resulted in a confirmation of the status quo, with the only apparent seat changes since the 1959 election being due to the changes of affiliation of the two Independent Liberal members. Edward Oldfield, representing Mount Lawley, had joined the Labor Party during the previous term, whilst Bill Grayden, representing South Perth, had joined the Liberal Party. Both were re-elected.
Two seats changed between the Country and LCL Parties. In Avon, the sitting member James Mann retired after 32 years in Parliament, and Harry Gayfer, one of the two Country Party candidates, succeeded him in the seat. Meanwhile, in outer-metropolitan Darling Range, LCL candidate Ken Dunn defeated the sitting Country member Ray Owen. The Labor candidate narrowly won the primary vote, whilst Dunn polled one vote ahead of Owen, meaning Owen was eliminated and his votes distributed between Dunn and Metcalfe. A petition was filed and the Court of Disputed Returns ordered a fresh election for 22 July 1962, which widened the gap to 15 votes.

Post-election pendulum

LCL/Country seats ---
Marginal---
KarrinyupLes NimmoLCL2.5%
SubiacoHugh GuthrieLCL2.6%
BunburyGeorge RobertsLCL3.7%
Fairly safe---
CottesloeRoss HutchinsonLCL6.8%
AvonHarry GayferCP7.2% v LCL
Mount LawleyRay O'ConnorLCL8.4%
DaleGerald WildLCL8.6%
Darling RangeKen DunnLCL8.6%
Safe---
MurchisonRichard BurtLCL10.9%
StirlingClayton MitchellCP12.7% v IND
East MelvilleDes O'NeilLCL13.6%
ClaremontHarold CrommelinLCL18.2% v IND
ToodyayJames CraigCP18.3%
MurrayRoss McLartyLCL18.7% v IND
RoeTom HartCP19.7% v LCL
NedlandsCharles CourtLCL21.4%
BlackwoodJohn HearmanLCL24.1% v IND
GreenoughDavid BrandLCL45.4% v COM
South PerthBill GraydenLCLundist.
KatanningCrawford NalderCPunopp.
MooreEdgar LewisCPunopp.
Mount MarshallGeorge CornellCPunopp.
NarroginWilliam ManningCPunopp.
VasseWilliam BovellLCLunopp.
WellingtonIven ManningLCLunopp.
WembleyGuy HennLCLunopp.