1960 Papua New Guinean general election


General elections were held in Papua and New Guinea on 27 August 1960.

Electoral system

The 29-member Legislative Council consisted of the Administrator, 16 civil servants, nine members appointed by the Administrator and three elected Europeans. The Chinese community were also given the right to vote alongside Europeans.
The three elected members were elected from three single-member constituencies, New Guinea Islands, New Guinea Mainland and Papua by preferential voting.

Campaign

Two of the three seats were uncontested, with Craig Kirke, a Port Moresby solicitor and anti-income tax activist running unopposed in Papua and former MLC Don Barrett, a planter, the sole candidate in New Guinea Islands. The New Guinea Mainland seat was contested by former MLC Sydney Barker, Paul Hymna, Lloyd Hurrell and Keith Watkins.

Results

In the sole contested constituency, voter turnout was around 38%.

Appointed members

was appointed as an official member, replacing the Director of Native Affairs, becoming the first official indigenous member.