title: 1956 Australian Labor Party leadership spill
text: # 1956 Australian Labor Party leadership spill
  
  A leadership spill of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), then the opposition party in the Parliament of Australia, was held on 16 February 1956.
  
  ## Background
  
  Labor frontbencher Allan Fraser unsuccessfully challenged ALP leader H. V. Evatt. Fraser was a known maverick who thought Evatt unelectable, and was derisive of his handling of the Industrial Groups and the ensuing "split" in the Labor Party.
  
  Evatt was re-elected comfortably by 58 votes to 20. Arthur Calwell was re-elected deputy leader, securing 42 votes against 20 for Eddie Ward and 14 for Les Haylen.
  
  ## Results
  
  The following table gives the ballot results:
  
  | Name | Name | Votes | Percentage |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | | H. V. Evatt | 58 | 74.35 |
  | | Allan Fraser | 20 | 25.65 |
  