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Federal election major party leaders
< 1993 1996 1998 >
Labor Paul Keating Prime Minister Parliament: 27 years Leader since: 1991 Division: Blaxland
Liberal John Howard Opposition leader Parliament: 22 years Leader since: 1995 Division: Bennelong WIN

Federal elections were held in Australia on 2 March 1996. All 148 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 seats in the 76-member Senate were up for election. The incumbent Australian Labor Party in power since 1983 led by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating were defeated by the opposition Liberal Party of Australia led by John Howard and coalition partner the National Party of Australia led by Tim Fischer.

Independents: Peter Andren, Pauline Hanson, Allan Rocher, Graeme Campbell, Paul Filing (ex-Liberal)

Independents: Mal Colston (resigned from ALP in August 1996)

• The Democrats contested 138 electorates with preferences slightly favouring Labor (54.02%)
• The Greens contested 102 electorates with preferences favouring Labor (67.10%)

• *Figure is Liberal against Nationals.
• **Figure is a swing compared to Liberal vote at the last election.

Labor's primary vote was the lowest recorded by the ALP since 1934 (an additional eight percent coming from preferences). The Liberal Party leader, John Howard, had resumed the leadership of his party in January 1995, following a disastrous 8 months under the leadership of Alexander Downer. Downer and Peter Costello had succeeded Dr. John Hewson early in 1994 and were touted as the leaders of the new-generation Liberals. In the end, the party opted for the seasoned Howard, perhaps an acknowledgement that he was the only one left standing after a decade of party infighting.

Howard approached the campaign with a determination to present as small a target as possible. Throughout 1995, he refused to detail specific policy proposals. By 1996, however, it was clear that the electorate had tired of the Labor government and Paul Keating in particular. "The recession we had to have" line resonated with deadly force throughout the electorate. Although Keating's big picture approach to republicanism, reconciliation and engagement with Asia galvernised support within Labor's urban constituencies, Howard was able to attract support amongst disaffected mainstream Australians - including traditionally Labor-voting blue collar workers and middle class suburban residents.

• Australian Electoral Commission Results
• University of WA election results in Australia since 1890
• AEC 2PP vote
• AustralianPolitics.com election details
• Preference flows - ABC

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