It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1957 redistribution.

Cahill, who was commonly known as "old smoothie" continued to be a popular premier but the opposition campaign argued that his cabinet consisted of "tired old men".

However, a small branch of the DLP under the leadership of Jake Kane had organised in NSW and nominated candidates at this election for the first time.

Cahill announced plans to build Housing Commission towers in Surry Hills and promised a referendum on the abolition of the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Davis Hughes, who had led the Country Party since September 1958 was forced to resign the leadership at the start of the campaign when it was revealed that he had falsely claimed to have a university degree.

The opposition campaigned on the government's broken promises and its continuing record of over-budget and uncompleted public works.

Sewering the outer western suburbs, with a deep sea discharge, and completing the Sandy Hollow railway line were the opposition's public works priorities.

New South Wales state election, 21 March 1959[2]Legislative Assembly << 1956–1962 >> Joseph Cahill died in October 1959 and was replaced by Robert Heffron who continued as Premier for the rest of the term.