1981 Boothby by-election

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Boothby on 21 February 1981. This was triggered by the resignation of Liberal Party MP John McLeay. It was held on the same day as by-elections for Curtin and McPherson.

This by-election was won by Steele Hall, who was Premier of South Australia from 1968 to 1970.

Results

Boothby by-election, 1981

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Steele Hall	36,406	56.7	+0.5
	Labor	Bruce Whyatt	17,108	26.6	−3.0
	Democrats	Robert Hercus	9,188	14.3	+1.2
	Independent	Alf Gard	555	0.9	+0.9
	Unemployed Workers	David Arkins	544	0.8	+0.8
	Progressive Conservative	John Herren	398	0.6	+0.6
Total formal votes			64,199	97.7	−0.4
Informal votes			1,480	2.3	+0.4
Turnout			65,679	81.7	−12.7
	Liberal hold		Swing	+1.4

See also

• List of Australian federal by-elections