federal elections

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In 1960, Harold Holt, the then-treasurer, urged the government to abolish import restrictions, resulting in a minor recession. This nearly swung the election in the ALP's favour.

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Historians attribute the Coalition's election victory in 1949 to issues like bank nationalisation and the Communist Party. But the decisive issue was petrol rationing.

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The Prime Minister's announcement of a poll date in September could herald a push for the introduction of a fixed term for federal elections, writes Scientia Professor George Williams.