The 1894 election for the inaugural Australian Parliament were held on Friday 30 March and Saturday 31 March following the Federation of the nation on January 1 the same year. The caretaker Prime Minister, Henry Parkes, contested the election as the leader of the Free Trade party. The Free Trade party won the majority of seats, however, the Protectionist party was supported by many state Labour parties, thus giving George Turner 32 seats of support. In the senate, the Free Trade party also won the majority of seats, thus giving them effective control over the government of Australia.