2014 Stafford state by-election
A by-election was conducted for the Queensland Legislative Assembly seat of Stafford on 19 July 2014 following 23 May resignation of LNP MP Chris Davis.[1][2] The LNP won Stafford from Labor at the 2012 election with 57.1 percent of the two-party vote from a 14.4-point two-party swing. The 2014 Redcliffe by-election saw a 17.2-point two-party swing to Labor. Analysts predicted a Labor win with a 10–12-point two-party swing.[3][4] Labor candidate Anthony Lynham won the by-election with a 62 percent two-party vote from a 19.1-point two-party swing.[5]
This election was the first in Australia which required voter identification to be shown prior to receiving a ballot paper.[5]
Key dates
- 19 June 2014: Issue of writ
- 25 June 2014: Close of electoral roll
- 3 July 2014: Close of nominations
- 7 July 2014: Pre-poll voting started
- 19 July 2014: Polling day
- 29 July 2014: Cut-off for return of postal votes
- 4 September 2014: Return of writ[6]
Nominations
The four candidates in ballot paper order were as follows:[6]
| Candidate nominations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Background | |
| Liberal National Party | Bob Andersen | Psychologist for Queensland Health.[5] | |
| Family First Party | Sally-Anne Vincent | Accountant. Family First candidate for Sandgate in 2006, Murrumba in 2009 and 2012 and Redcliffe in 2014, federal seat of Petrie in 2007 and 2010, and Senate in 2013.[5] | |
| Australian Greens | Anne Boccabella | Small businesswoman. Greens candidate for Brisbane Central in 2012, 2009 and 2007, and independent candidate for Mount Coot-tha in 2001.[5] | |
| Australian Labor Party | Anthony Lynham | Oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.[5] | |
Katter's Australian Party, which received 4.9 percent in 2012, did not re-contest Stafford at the by-election.[5] Clive Palmer initially said the Palmer United Party would run in the by-election,[7] but then said it was undecided whether the party would field a candidate.[8] A candidate was not fielded.[9]
Result
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | Anthony Lynham | 12,626 | 50.6 | +17.1 | |
| Liberal National | Bob Andersen | 8,339 | 33.4 | −16.8 | |
| Greens | Anne Boccabella | 2,971 | 11.9 | +0.6 | |
| Family First | Sally-Anne Vincent | 997 | 4.0 | +4.0 | |
| Total formal votes | 24,933 | 98.1 | −0.0 | ||
| Informal votes | 485 | 1.9 | +0.0 | ||
| Turnout | 25,418 | 81.5 | −9.8 | ||
| Two-party-preferred result | |||||
| Labor | Anthony Lynham | 14,562 | 62.0 | +19.1 | |
| Liberal National | Bob Andersen | 8,925 | 38.0 | −19.1 | |
| Labor gain from Liberal National | Swing | +19.1 | |||
The result saw the biggest swing at a Queensland by-election since changes to the 1992 Electoral Act.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "Chris Davis resigns as Queensland MP for Stafford". ABC News. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
- ^ Howells, Melinda (5 June 2014). "Stafford by-election called for July 19 following MP Chris Davis's resignation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ^ LNP expected to lose Stafford by-election to Labor with a swing of at least 12 points: Courier Mail 19 July 2014
- ^ Stafford by-election battle under way: Brisbane Times 19 July 2014
- ^ a b c d e f g 2014 Stafford by-election: Antony Green ABC
- ^ a b 2014 Stafford by-election: ECQ
- ^ Stafford by-election guaranteed; but some candidates not so certain: Courier Mail 26 May 2014
- ^ Bill Hoffman (6 June 2014). "Clive foots the bill for Fairfax Festival weekend" – Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ Palmer United Party declines to contest Stafford by-election: News.com.au 3 July 2014
- ^ 2014 Stafford by-election result: ABC
- ^ 2014 Stafford by-election result: ECQ
- ^ "Stafford by-election: Former LNP MP Chris Davis urges early Queensland election after Government loses seat". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.