1956 Wentworth by-election

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A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Wentworth on 8 December 1956. This was triggered by the resignation of Liberal Party MP Eric Harrison.

Contents

The by-election was narrowly won by Liberal Party candidate Les Bury. His final opponent on the two-party-preferred vote, after overtaking the Labor candidate on preferences, was Reg Robson, brother of recently deposed state Liberal leader Murray Robson. Murray Robson supported his brother during the campaign, and it was reported that there was "some talk of expelling" Robson from the party for his role. [1]

Results

Wentworth by-election, 1956 [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Les Bury 13,95641.3-30.7
Labor Kevin Starr6,45519.1+19.1
Independent Liberal Reg Robson6,41419.0+19.0
Independent Liberal Reg Bartley 4,10912.2+12.2
Independent Cecil Sindel1,4704.3+4.3
Independent Liberal Alan Laing1,4144.2+4.2
Total formal votes33,81897.7−0.1
Informal votes1,1673.3+0.1
Turnout 34,98581.5−10.8
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal Les Bury 17,46051.6-20.4
Independent Liberal Reg Robson16,35848.4N/A
Liberal hold Swing N/A

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References

  1. "Australian Political Chronicle, July-December 1956". Australian Journal of Politics and History. 2 (2): 232. 1957.
  2. "By-Elections 1955-1958". Psephos.