1949 Australian federal election of Representatives was enlarged from 74 to 121 seats and the Senate from 36 members to 60 members. All 121 lower house seats, and 42 of the 60 upper house seats, were up for election. The Chifley Government was defeated, ending the longest period of Labor Federal Government in Australian history up to that date (1941–49). Labor would not return to office until 1972. Robert Menzies became Prime Minister for the second time, and the Liberal Party of Australia won government federally for the first time. 1949 Australian federal election Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1949.
Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1949–1951 led by Arthur Fadden won a net of 48 additional seats, allowing it to form government. The incumbent Australian Labor Party led by Prime Minister of Australia Ben Chifley won a net of four additional seats and the four representatives of minor parties and an independent were all defeated. Members of the Australian House of Representatives, 1949–1951 This is a list of the members of the Australian House of Representatives in the 19th Australian Parliament, which was elected at the 1949 election on 10 December 1949. In the first of two significant expansions, the house was expanded by 48 seats,