Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1856–1858

This is a list of members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1856 to 1858:

¹ Western Division of Camden MLA James Macarthur resigned over to what he believed to be unconstitutional election. At the resulting by-election he was elected unopposed. ² John Plunkett was elected as the member for both Argyle and Bathurst County. After attempting to represent both electorates in the Assembly, he resigned as the member for Bathurst County and sat as the member for Argyle. In the resulting by-election on 19 June 1856, William Suttor was elected. ³ Elias Weekes was originally elected as the member for Cumberland (South Riding). However, he had also contested Northumberland Boroughs, and when Bourn Russell's election was voided, Weekes became member for that seat as well. He chose to sit as the member for Northumberland Boroughs. In the by-election for Cumberland (South Riding) on 21 August 1856, John Brenan was elected. ⁴ Former Premier Stuart Donaldson was required to recontest Sydney Hamlets when appointed to the ministry. In the by-election on 10 October 1856, he was defeated by John Campbell. ⁵ The election of John Brenan to Cumberland (South Riding) was voided, and in the resulting by-election on 7 November 1856, Stuart Donaldson was elected unopposed. ⁶ Henry Parkes resigned as member for Sydney City on 19 December 1856 following financial difficulties relating to his newspaper. In the resulting by-election on 29 December 1856, William Dalley was elected. ⁷ Argyle MLA John Plunkett was appointed to the Legislative Council on 27 January 1857. In the resulting by-election on 17 February 1857, Daniel Deniehy was elected. ⁸ Cumberland (South Riding) MLA William Manning resigned on 18 May 1857. In the resulting by-election on 12 June 1857, James Byrnes was elected. ⁹ Northumberland Boroughs MLA George Nichols died on 12 September 1857. In the resulting by-election on 6 November 1857, James Dickson was elected. ¹⁰ Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa MLA Gordon Sandeman resigned on 10 October 1857. In the resulting by-election on 17 December 1857, Patrick Leslie was elected. ¹¹ Cumberland (North Riding) MLA John Darvall resigned on 26 November 1857. In the resulting by-election on 11 December 1857, Thomas Smith was elected. ¹² The First Parliament was actually dissolved in December 1857, and the next election held in January–February 1858. For the purposes of this list, members who served until the end of the First Parliament are said to have served until 1858, to distinguish them from those who left the parliament prior to this.

There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. These by-elections are only noted when the minister was defeated; in general, he was elected unopposed.