In the election, the incumbent Nationalist-Country Coalition, led by Bruce and Page, was defeated in a landslide by the opposition Labor Party under James Scullin.

Strikes and unrest in Newcastle and Hunter Region coalfields were the most widespread and severe, but disturbances within the waterfront, sugar, transport and timber industries were also ongoing.

Facing major challenges, Bruce had embarked upon extensive negotiations throughout 1929 to tighten federal control over finance and industrial relations and to implement ameliorating policies in concert with the states.

On 14 August, a motion of no-confidence was moved by Labor in response to Bruce's decision earlier in the year to drop prosecution of mine-owner John Brown for his part in the coalmine lock-outs in the Hunter Valley.

In concert, Earle Page brought down his seventh and most stringent budget, which introduced new taxes and spending cuts in an attempt to fight the ballooning deficit.

Attorney-General John Latham noted that the Commonwealth had no power to call a referendum, making general election the only constitutionally valid result of the amendment.

The new budget's "amusement tax" (which would harm film exhibitors) appeared to be the last straw, and Marks joined to defectors to vote for the amendment.

However, Groom was steadfast that he would follow the British House of Commons (though not Australian) precedent that the Speaker remain impartial and not vote in committee.

Treating the passage of the amendment as a defeat in a motion of no-confidence, Bruce announced to the House on 12 September that the Governor-General had accepted his advice to call an election,[8] despite some speculation a government led by John Latham, James Scullin, or Billy Hughes might be attempted.