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]
  Queensland 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]
  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
Queensland state by-election, 2014: Stafford[10][11]
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
  1. "Chris Davis resigns as Queensland MP for Stafford". ABC News. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  2. 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.
  3. LNP expected to lose Stafford by-election to Labor with a swing of at least 12 points: Courier Mail 19 July 2014
  4. Stafford by-election battle under way: Brisbane Times 19 July 2014
  5. 2014 Stafford by-election: Antony Green ABC
  6. 2014 Stafford by-election: ECQ
  7. Stafford by-election guaranteed; but some candidates not so certain: Courier Mail 26 May 2014
  8. Bill Hoffman (6 June 2014). "Clive foots the bill for Fairfax Festival weekend" – Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  9. Palmer United Party declines to contest Stafford by-election: News.com.au 3 July 2014
  10. 2014 Stafford by-election result: ABC
  11. 2014 Stafford by-election result: ECQ
  12. "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.
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