2009 Pembroke state by-election

A by-election was held in the Tasmanian Legislative Council division of Pembroke on 1 August 2009.[1] It was triggered by the resignation of sitting member Allison Ritchie.

Background

Ritchie was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2001 at the age of 26, the youngest person ever elected to that chamber. She spent nine and a half weeks as Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations in 2008, but resigned due to ill health.[2] She announced her resignation from parliament amid allegations of nepotism on 20 June 2009.[3]

Candidates

The writ for the by-election was issued on 30 June 2009; nominations closed on 9 July.[1] The eight candidates were:

Results

Pembroke state by-election, 2009[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Vanessa Goodwin 7,812 38.55 +38.55
Greens Wendy Heatley 2,604 12.85 –0.56
Independent Richard James 2,285 11.28 –7.10
Independent Honey Bacon 2,110 10.41 +10.41
Independent John Peers 1,942 9.58 +0.32
Independent James Crotty 1,783 8.80 +8.80
Independent Peter Cooper 1,510 7.45 +7.45
Independent Kit (Sharon) Soo 219 1.08 +1.08
Total formal votes 20,265 96.48 –0.26
Informal votes 740 3.52 +0.26
Turnout 21,005 85.05 –2.47
Liberal gain from Labor SwingN/A

Distribution of Preferences

The distribution of preferences is shown in detail on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website.[6] In accordance with the preferential voting system, the following candidates were excluded in the order shown and their votes distributed to remaining candidates or declared exhausted (no more preferences): Soo, Cooper, Crotty, Peers, Bacon.

Vanessa Goodwin attained a quota (an absolute majority of formal votes) when two other candidates were left in the count, meaning that no two-candidate-preferred figure was attained.

Result after Distribution of Preferences[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Vanessa Goodwin 10,143 51.05
Independent Richard James 5,510 27.73
Greens Wendy Heatley 4,215 21.22

References

  1. "Tasmanian Legislative Council Pembroke 2009". Archived from the original on 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  2. Minister resigns from Cabinet, ABC News, November 24, 2008
  3. Allison Ritchie quits Tas Parliament, ABC News, June 20, 2009
  4. ABC Elections
  5. "Pembroke by-election results table: Tasmanian Electoral Commission". Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  6. "Pembroke Election Final Result". Archived from the original on 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
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