Werriwa by-election, 1994
Encyclopedia
A by-election for the Australian House of Representatives division of Werriwa
was held on 28 January 1994. It was triggered by the resignation of sitting Labor Party
member and former minister John Kerin
.
The by-election was won by Labor Party
candidate Mark Latham
, retaining the seat for his party.
The by-election was marked by a swing against the ALP of almost twelve per cent. Much of this swing benefited minor party candidates, in particular the anti-immigration party Australians Against Further Immigration
, whose candidate Robyn Spencer polled 7.24 per cent. Single issue parties are rarely able to sustain such high votes at a general election.
, Hughes
and Macarthur
. In December 2003, Latham became Leader of the Opposition and led his party to defeat at the 2004 federal election. Although re-elected as leader in the aftermath of that election, in January 2005 he stepped down as Labor leader and the member for Werriwa citing health concerns; triggering the 2005 Werriwa by-election
.
Latham's defeated opponent, Charlie Lynn
of the Liberal Party, was selected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
in 1995 filling a vacancy caused by the resignation of Ted Pickering.
Division of Werriwa
The Division of Werriwa is a Federal Electoral Division for the Australian House of Representatives.The name Werriwa derives from a local Aboriginal name for Lake George, which was located in the division when it was established in 1900. The division was one of the original 75 divisions first...
was held on 28 January 1994. It was triggered by the resignation of sitting Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
member and former minister John Kerin
John Kerin
John Charles Kerin, AM is an Australian economist and former Australian Labor Party politician.-Career in politics:...
.
The by-election was won by Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
candidate Mark Latham
Mark Latham
Mark William Latham , an author and former Australian politician, was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005....
, retaining the seat for his party.
The by-election was marked by a swing against the ALP of almost twelve per cent. Much of this swing benefited minor party candidates, in particular the anti-immigration party Australians Against Further Immigration
Australians Against Further Immigration
Australians Against Further Immigration was an Australian political party who described themselves as "eco-nationalists" and were against positive net immigration. The party was founded in 1989 and registered in 1990 by Rodney and Robyn Spencer, the parents of actor Jesse Spencer...
, whose candidate Robyn Spencer polled 7.24 per cent. Single issue parties are rarely able to sustain such high votes at a general election.
Results
Aftermath
Two years later, Latham was re-elected as the member for Werriwa at the 1996 federal election, despite the Labor Party losing several seats—and as a consequence, losing office—including the neighbouring divisions of LindsayDivision of Lindsay
The Division of Lindsay is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. It is located in the outer western suburbs of Sydney, and is centred around Penrith. It also includes the suburbs of Castlereagh, Mulgoa and Werrington....
, Hughes
Division of Hughes
The Division of Hughes is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. The division was created in 1955 and is named for Billy Hughes, who was Prime Minister of Australia 1915-23...
and Macarthur
Division of Macarthur
The Division of Macarthur is an Australia Federal electoral division covering outer south-west Sydney. Its present boundaries cover the southern suburbs of Campbelltown, all of the local government area of Camden and small parts of Wollondilly. It covers 537 km² and is named after John...
. In December 2003, Latham became Leader of the Opposition and led his party to defeat at the 2004 federal election. Although re-elected as leader in the aftermath of that election, in January 2005 he stepped down as Labor leader and the member for Werriwa citing health concerns; triggering the 2005 Werriwa by-election
Werriwa by-election, 2005
A by-election was held in the Werriwa electorate in south-western Sydney on 19 March 2005, after the resignation of Labor MP Mark Latham, who had represented the electorate since 1994...
.
Latham's defeated opponent, Charlie Lynn
Charlie Lynn
Charlie John Stuart Lynn is an Australian politician and Liberal Party of Australia member of the New South Wales Legislative Council. Lynn has been an MLC since 19 October 1995.-Personal history:...
of the Liberal Party, was selected to the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
in 1995 filling a vacancy caused by the resignation of Ted Pickering.