1956 Wentworth by-election

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.

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]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Les Bury 13,956 41.3 -30.7
Labor Kevin Starr 6,455 19.1 +19.1
Independent Liberal Reg Robson 6,414 19.0 +19.0
Independent Liberal Reg Bartley 4,109 12.2 +12.2
Independent Cecil Sindel 1,470 4.3 +4.3
Independent Liberal Alan Laing 1,414 4.2 +4.2
Total formal votes 33,818 97.7 -0.1
Informal votes 1,167 3.3 +0.1
Turnout 34,985 81.5 -10.8
Two-party-preferred result
Liberal Les Bury 17,460 51.6 -20.4
Independent Liberal Reg Robson 16,358 48.4 N/A
Liberal hold SwingN/A

See also

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