Vasse state by-election, 2014

A by-election for the seat of Vasse in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly was held on 18 October 2014.[1] The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Liberal MLA and former Liberal leader Troy Buswell on 3 September 2014, who won the seat at the 2013 election with a 57.3 percent primary and a 71.2 percent two-party vote.[2][3] It was held on the same day as the 2014 Casuarina by-election in the Northern Territory.

Candidates

The writ for the by-election was issued on 18 September 2014, and candidate nominations were open until 26 September.[4]

The six candidates in ballot paper order were as follows:

Candidate nominations
Party Candidate Background
  Christians Wayne Barnett Horticulture manager. Resident of Busselton, contested Collie-Preston for the Christian Democrats at the 2008 state election and Forrest for the Australian Christians at the 2013 federal election.[5]
  Nationals WA Peter Gordon Businessman. Resident of Busselton.[5]
  Independent Peter Johnson Life member and former state president of the Rebels Motorcycle Club.[5]
  Liberal Libby Mettam Former journalist and current media adviser for Barry House, MLC. Resident of Dunsborough.[5]
  Greens Michael Baldock Structural engineer. Resident of Busselton, contested Vasse for the Greens at the 2013 state election.[5]
  Independent Teresa van Lieshout Perennial candidate.[5]

The Australian Labor Party declined to field a candidate at the by-election.[6]

Results

Vasse state by-election, 2014[7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Libby Mettam 8,805 44.3 −13.0
WA Nationals Peter Gordon 5,656 28.5 +21.2
Greens Michael Baldock 3,567 18.0 +7.9
Independent Peter Johnson 873 4.4 +4.4
Christians Wayne Barnett 686 3.5 +3.5
Independent Teresa van Lieshout 274 1.4 +1.4
Total formal votes 19,861 97.2 +1.2
Informal votes 569 2.8 –1.2
Turnout 20,430 82.6 −8.6
Two-candidate-preferred result
Liberal Libby Mettam 10,520 53.0 −18.2
WA Nationals Peter Gordon 9,328 47.0 +47.0
Liberal hold Swing N/A

Results are final.

See also

References

  1. Joe Spagnolo (18 September 2014). "Vasse by-election to replace former treasurer Troy Buswell set on Saturday, October 18" – PerthNow. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  2. "Troy Buswell has quit politics, effective immediately". PerthNow. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  3. Green, Antony (4 September 2014). "Vasse By-election to follow Troy Buswell's resignation". Antony Green's Election Blog (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  4. Writ issued for the 2014 Vasse by-election – WA Electoral Commission. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 2014 Vasse state by-election: Antony Green ABC
  6. Dalzell, Stephanie (9 September 2014). "Labor not standing candidate in Vasse by-election for Troy Buswell's former seat". ABC News. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. "2014 Vasse By-election". www.elections.wa.gov.au. Western Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  8. Green, Antony (18 October 2014). "Results: 2014 Vasse By-election". ABC Elections (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 18 October 2014.

External links