The 1978 New South Wales state election was the first direct election for the Legislative Council since the council was reconstituted in 1856 and the creation of the Legislative Assembly. This was the result of the 1978 referendum which also reduced the number of members from 60 to 43 and that provided that members would serve for 3 terms of the Legislative Assembly. Under the transitional arrangements, 28 members had been indirectly elected by joint sittings of the New South Wales Parliament.
Single transferable voting, in a state-wide district, was used to fill the 15 seats open that year.
This is the only Legislative Council election where no party other than Labor, Liberal or National held a seat.
Results
Continuing Members 28 members retained their seats in the council, with 14 of those members to retire at the next general election, held in 1981, and the remaining 14 members would retire at the following general election, held in 1984.
Name Party End term Years in office
1981 1973–1981
1984 1976–1982
1984 1976–1984
1984 1972–1979
1981 1973–1991
1981 1973–1991
1984 1976–2001
1984 1976–1995
1981 1973–1984
1981 1973–1981
1981 1964–1981
1981 1973–1981
1984 1976–1984
1984 1976–1984
1981 1961–1981
1984 1976–1981
1984 1972–1984
1981 1973–1981, 1981–1984
1984 1972–1984
1981 1973–1981
1984 1976–1984
1981 1976–1988
1984 1976–1984
1981 1970–1999
1981 1969–1970, 1970–1981
1981 1978–1981
1984 1971–1984
1984 1969–1991
See also Results of the 1978 New South Wales state election (Legislative Assembly) Candidates of the 1978 New South Wales state election Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1978–1981
References