Lyne by-election, 2008

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right|thumb|2007_election_boundaries_in_New South Wales, Lyne pictured north-east] A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Lyne on September 6, 2008.cite news | title=By-elections to be held on September 6 | date=31 July 2008 | publisher=AAP | url=http://news.theage.com.au/national/byelections-to-be-held-on-september-6-20080731-3nwz.html] This was triggered by the resignation of National Party MP Mark Vaile. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24044076-661,00.html Vaile quits politics | Herald Sun] ] The by-election was held on the same day as the Mayo by-election, and the Western Australian state election.

The writ for the by-election was issued on August 4, with the rolls closing on August 8. Candidate nominations closed August 14. [ [http://news.theage.com.au/national/byelections-to-be-held-on-september-6-20080731-3nwz.html By-elections to be held on September 6: The Age 31/7/2008] ] The by-election was contested on the same boundaries drawn for Lyne at the 2007 federal election. At that election, the National Party won the seat over the Labor Party by a two-party preferred margin of 58.58% to 41.42%.

Background

Vaile first won the seat of Lyne at the 1993 election for the Nationals in a very close contest with the Liberal candidate. In ministerial positions since 1997, he became leader of the National Party and thus Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard government from 2005. At the 2007 federal election, the opposition Labor Party defeated the incumbent Liberal-National coalition government. This marked the first change of government in over 11 years. Following the coalition election defeat, Vaile announced on July 19 2008 his intention to resign his seat, to take effect July 30 2008. This followed Peter McGauran in Gippsland and Alexander Downer in Mayo.

Candidates

Eight candidates contested the by-election. They are listed below in ballot order. [ [http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/supplementary_by_elections/2008_lyne/candidates.htm Lyne by-election Candidates: AEC] ]
*"Fishing Party" - Bob Smith, retired builder.
*"Citizens Electoral Council" - Graeme Muldoon, farmer, contested Lyne in 2007.
*"Independent" - Stewart Scott-Irving, education consultant, contested Lyne in 2007.
*"Democratic Labor Party" - Michael Patrick O'Donohue, teacher.
*"Independent" - Rob Oakeshott, former state Nationals turned Independent MP for Port Macquarie since 1996. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/05/2324365.htm Nationals in danger of losing Vaile's seat: ABC News 5/8/2008] ] He polled more than two-thirds of the primary vote as an independent in his state seat at the last two elections, and his seat makes up more than half of Lyne. ABC political analyst Antony Green described Oakeshott as the "clear favourite", and "highly likely" to win the by-election. [ [http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/party-jihad-to-confront-independent-at-byelection/1236121.aspx Party 'jihad' to confront Independent at by-election: Canberra Times 6/8/2008] ] [ [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2008/lyne/profile.htm 2008 Lyne By-election: Antony Green ABC] ] The Nationals admitted he posed a big threat. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/03/2322479.htm Oakeshott likely to contest Lyne by-election: ABC News 3/8/2008] ] Upon announcing his candidacy, federal Nationals leader Warren Truss labelled Oakeshott a "Labor patsy". [ [http://news.theage.com.au/national/oakeshott-is-a-labor-patsy-says-truss-20080805-3q8z.html Oakeshott is a Labor patsy says Truss: The Age 5/8/2008] ] Oakeshott did not direct his preferences to any candidate. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/19/2340239.htm Oakeshott rules out preference deal: ABC News 19/8/2008] ] Attacks upon Oakeshott by the Nationals increased in the last week of campaigning. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24272625-5013871,00.html Nationals attack 'Labor stooge' in Lyne poll: The Australian 1/9/2008] ]
*"Australian Greens" - Susie Russell, local environmentalist, contested Lyne in 2007. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/28/2316169.htm Greens unanimously endorse Lyne candidate: ABC News 28/7/2008] ]
*"National Party of Australia" - Rob Drew, former Port Macquarie mayor. [http://news.smh.com.au/national/nats-name-candidate-for-lyne-byelection-20080802-3ovx.html Nats name candidate for Lyne by-election] ]
*"Independent" - Barry Wright, retired, contested Lyne in 2007.

Neither the Labor Party nor the Liberal Party stood a candidate.cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/08/2329128.htm | title=Liberals avoid Lyne by-election | date=8 August 2008 | publisher=ABC]

Results

Oakeshott obtained a majority of votes in every polling booth, with the exception of Dyers Crossing, receiving about two thirds of the primary vote and three quarters of the two-party vote. [ [http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13827-130.htm AEC Results: Lyne by-election 2008] ]

Election box begin
title=Lyne by-election, 2008Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Rob Oakeshott
party = Independent
votes = 47,306
percentage = 63.80
change = +63.80

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Rob Drew
party = Nationals
votes = 16,964
percentage = 22.88
change = -29.38

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Susie Russell
party = Greens
votes = 5,206
percentage = 7.02
change = -0.13

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Bob Smith
party = Fishing Party
votes = 2,566
percentage = 3.46
change = +3.46

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Michael Patrick O'Donohue
party = Democratic Labor
votes = 853
percentage = 1.15
change = +1.15

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Barry Wright
party = Independent
votes = 582
percentage = 0.78
change = -0.46

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Stewart Scott-Irving
party = Independent
votes = 400
percentage = 0.54
change = +0.12

Election box candidate AU party
candidate = Graeme Muldoon
party = CEC
votes = 270
percentage = 0.36
change = +0.13

Election box formal
votes = 74,147
percentage = 96.55
change = +1.62

Election box informal
votes = 2,646
percentage = 3.45
change = -1.62

Election box turnout
votes = 76,793
percentage = 87.31
change = -8.62

Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Rob Oakeshott
votes = 54,770
percentage = 73.87
change = +73.87

Election box candidate AU party
party = Nationals
candidate = Rob Drew
votes = 19,377
percentage = 26.13
change = +26.13

Election box gain AU party
winner = Independent
loser = Nationals
swing = N/A

References

External links

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