Griffith by-election, 1939

Conelan table and supporters for the election
McCowan table and supporters for the election

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Griffith on 20 May 1939. This was triggered by the death of Labor Party MP Frank Baker.

The election was won by Labor candidate William Conelan by four votes.

Immediately after Baker's death, there was some speculation that Queensland premier, William Forgan Smith would contest the by-election.[1]

Results

Griffith by-election, 1939[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labor William Conelan 22,967 41.3 -7.0
United Australia Peter McCowan 17,168 30.9 -10.3
Protestant Labor Everett Graham 15,437 27.8 +27.8
Total formal votes 55,572 98.2
Informal votes 1,025 1.8
Turnout 56,597 91.6 -5.8
Two-party-preferred result
Labor William Conelan 27,790 50.0 -0.3
United Australia Peter McCowan 27,782 50.0 +0.3
Labor hold Swing -0.3

See also

References

  1. "Mr. Baker M.P. - His death mourned". The Canberra Times. 30 March 1939. p. 4. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  2. "By-Elections 1937-1940". Psephos.