Wentworth by-election, 1995

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.

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.

Results

Election box begin
title=Wentworth by-election, 1995Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Andrew Thomson
party = Liberal
votes = 30,677
percentage = 52.84
change = +0.17Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Murray Matson
party = Greens
votes = 15,120
percentage = 26.04
change = +26.04Election box candidate AU party
candidate = William Wentworth
party = Independent
votes = 10,945
percentage = 18.85
change = +18.85Election box candidate
candidate = John Hooper
party =
votes = 1,317
percentage = 2.27
change = +2.27

Election box formal
votes = 58,059
percentage = 96.04
change = -1.06

Election box informal
votes = 2,392
percentage = 3.96
change = +1.06

Election box turnout
votes = 60,451
percentage = 76.64
change = -17.91

Election box candidate AU party
party = Liberal
candidate = Andrew Thomson
votes = 38,261
percentage = 65.90
change = +10.36

Election box candidate AU party
party = Greens
candidate = Murray Matson
votes = 19,798
percentage = 34.10
change = +34.10

Election box hold AU party
winner = Liberal
swing = N/A

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 former Liberal minister William Wentworth, now standing as an independent, gained 18.85%. The Liberal Party retained the seat, however, with Andrew Thomson elected to parliament.

References

External links

* [http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/supplementary_by_elections/wentworth.htm Wentworth (NSW) By-Election (8 April 1995)] , Australian Electoral Commission