1940 Corio by-election

1940 Corio by-election

2 March 1940

First party Second party   UAP Candidate John Dedman James Vinton Smith Party Labor United Australia Popular vote 26,122 22,878 Percentage 51.8% 45.3% Swing 8.3pp 11.2pp TPP 54.4% 45.6% TPP swing 10.9pp 10.9pp

MP before election Richard Casey United Australia Elected MP John Dedman Labor

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Corio on 2 March 1940. This was triggered by the resignation of United Australia Party MP Richard Casey to become Australian Ambassador to the United States.

The by-election was won by Labor candidate John Dedman.

Results

Corio by-election, 1940

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labor	John Dedman	26,122	51.8	+8.3
	United Australia	James Vinton Smith	22,878	45.3	−11.2
	Communist	Gerry O'Day	1,466	2.9	+2.9
Total formal votes			50,466	98.5
Informal votes			786	1.5
Turnout			51,252	93.3
Two-party-preferred result
	Labor	John Dedman		54.4	+10.9
	United Australia	James Vinton Smith		45.6	−10.9
	Labor gain from United Australia		Swing	+10.9