1985 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill

There had been feelings within the Liberal Party that the parties parliamentary wing had been ignoring the organisational wing. The leader of the organisational wing, John Valder, asserted that this could have contributed to the recent electoral losses. These feelings were linked to the spill, although Valder kept his distance from assertions that he was directly involved in instigating the spill. ==Initial deputy candidates==

• John Howard, incumbent Deputy Leader, Shadow Treasurer, Member for Bennelong • John Moore, Shadow Minister for Communications, Member for Ryan ==Withdrawn candidates==

• Michael Hodgman, Shadow Minister for Housing and Construction, Member for Denison ==Initial results==

Spill motion to vacate deputy leadership Deputy leadership ballot ==Final candidates==

• Jim Carlton, former Shadow Minister for Health, Member for Mackellar • John Howard, incumbent Deputy Leader, Member for Bennelong ==Results==

The following tables gives the ballot results: Leadership ballot Deputy leadership ballot Other candidates in order of elimination: • Julian Beale and Roger Shipton • David Connolly • Steele Hall • Michael MacKellar • Wilson Tuckey • Michael Hodgman • Jim Carlton ==Aftermath==

Howard would remain party leader until 1989, surviving a spill in 1987 triggered by the 1987 election loss. Peacock would stand both times. ==References==