How many electorates were there in the first election?
Thank you for your question Ethan!
The first federal election in Australia was held on 29 and 30 March 1901. 75 members were elected to the House of Representatives and 36 senators to the Senate. So, in the first federal election there were 75 electorates.
The Duke of Cornwall and York opens the first federal Parliament, 9 May 1901
State Library of Victoria
The Duke of Cornwall and York opens the first federal Parliament, 9 May 1901
State Library of Victoria
Description
This illustration depicts the opening of the first federal Parliament of Australia on 9 May 1901 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. The Duke of Cornwall and York, dressed in full military uniform, conducts the ceremony. The Duke declared the Parliament open in this ceremony which was attended by 12,000 guests. He and other dignitaries stand on a platform looking down on a great crowd. In the crowd there are judges, members of the military, academics, women and lawyers. Part of the large crowd sits towards the back of the hall in tiered seating. Australian and British flags are draped from the mezzanine level of the Exhibition Building.