Results of the 1998 Australian federal election (House of Representatives)

The 1998 Australian federal election, held on 3 October 1998, determined the composition of the House of Representatives in the Parliament of Australia. The incumbent Liberal-National Coalition government, led by Prime Minister John Howard, secured a second term in office, albeit with a significantly reduced majority.

The election was primarily contested between the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party, led by Kim Beazley. The Coalition campaigned on its economic management record, including paying down government debt and introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Labor focused on social issues like health and education.

Key features of the election results include:

• Coalition Victory: The Coalition won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, allowing them to form a government. However, their overall majority was reduced considerably compared to the 1996 election.
• Labor's Gains: The Australian Labor Party significantly increased its seat count, bringing them much closer to forming government.
• Minor Party Performance: The Australian Democrats and One Nation also contested the election. While One Nation gained some initial momentum, its support waned as the election progressed. The Democrats saw a modest increase in their representation.
• Seat Distribution: The final seat distribution in the House of Representatives reflected a more closely contested political landscape.
• Senate Implications: The composition of the Senate remained largely unchanged following the election, potentially posing challenges for the government in passing legislation.

The 1998 election is notable for the close result and the significant gains made by the Labor Party, despite ultimately failing to unseat the Howard government. It also marked the first time the GST was a central issue in a federal election. Detailed results, including seat breakdowns by party and voting statistics, are available from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).