Williams was an
electoral district
An electoral district, also known as an election district, legislative district, voting district, constituency, riding, ward, division, or (election) precinct is a subdivision of a larger state (a country, administrative region, or other polity ...
of the
Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of
Western Australia from 1890 to 1950.
A rural district named for the town of
Williams in Western Australia's
Wheatbelt region, it was one of the original 30 districts contested at the
1890 election. In 1898, it included the towns of
Bannister,
Narrogin,
Darkan,
Arthur River,
Wagin,
Katanning,
Woodanilling, and
Moojebing.
The name of the district was changed to Williams-Narrogin at the
1911 election, the same election which saw
Bertie Johnston
Edward Bertram Johnston (11 January 1880 – 6 September 1942), known as Bertie Johnston, was the Western Australian Legislative Assembly member for Williams-Narrogin from 1911 to 1928, and a Senator from 1929 until 1942. His resignation fr ...
of the
Labor Party elected as its representative. Johnston resigned from the Labor Party in December 1915 over issues with the
Scaddan government, and resigned his seat in Parliament. He recontested (unopposed, as it turned out) the resulting
by-election and was thus re-elected as an independent. His actions brought about the downfall of the Labor government of
John Scaddan in August 1916 when it next met. Johnston briefly served as
Speaker in February 1917, however, his former Labor colleagues opposed his appointment and refused to respect his authority, forcing him to resign after just a few days in favour of
James Gardiner. Later in 1917, he joined the
Country Party.
Williams-Narrogin was abolished ahead of the
1950 election, and was replaced by the seat of
Narrogin. Sitting member
Victor Doney of the
Country Party transferred to the new Narrogin seat.
Members
Election results
References
{{Reflist
Williams