From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1995 Wentworth by-election was held in the Australian electorate of Wentworth in New South Wales on 8 April 1995. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the sitting member, the Liberal Party of Australia's Dr. John Hewson on 28 February 1995. The writ for the by-election was issued on 3 March 1995.
[edit] Background
John Hewson had been Leader of the Opposition since 1990, and the Coalition had lost the 1993 federal election. Hewson had pledged to resign if the Coalition lost the 1993 election, but did not do so, and his leadership was undermined over the next year by Alexander Downer, Peter Costello and Bronwyn Bishop. Eventually, Hewson called a leadership ballot in May 1994 which was won by Downer with Costello as his deputy. Downer's leadership lasted until January 1995, when John Howard won the leadership – Hewson resigned from the Parliament shortly afterwards.
[edit] Results
| Wentworth by-election, 1995 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
±% |
|
Liberal |
Andrew Thomson |
30,677 |
52.84 |
+0.17 |
|
Greens |
Murray Matson |
15,120 |
26.04 |
+26.04 |
|
Independent |
William Wentworth |
10,945 |
18.85 |
+18.85 |
|
|
John Hooper |
1,317 |
2.27 |
+2.27 |
| Total formal votes |
58,059 |
96.04 |
-1.06 |
| Informal votes |
2,392 |
3.96 |
+1.06 |
| Turnout |
60,451 |
76.64 |
-17.91 |
| Two Candidate Preferred Result |
|
Liberal |
Andrew Thomson |
38,261 |
65.90 |
+10.36 |
|
Greens |
Murray Matson |
19,798 |
34.10 |
+34.10 |
|
Liberal hold |
Swing |
10.36 |
|
[edit] Aftermath
The Australian Labor Party did not run a candidate in the by-election, and the two-party preferred votes went to the Australian Greens candidate who polled a respectable 34.10%. The Liberal Party retained the seat, however, with Andrew Thomson garnering a 10.36% swing to the Liberal Party.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
