Fraser by-election, 1997

The 1997 Fraser by-election was held in the Australian electorate of Fraser in the Australian Capital Territory on 1 February 1997. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of the sitting member, the Australian Labor Party's John Langmore on 6 December 1996. The writ for the by-election was issued on 30 December 1996.

Background

John Langmore had held the seat of Fraser since the 1984 election, but resigned to take up the post of Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development at the United Nations. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1456303.htm Kofi Annan offers apology over oil for food scandal] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 8 September 2005.]

Cheryl Hill had previously stood for election in Fraser as a Liberal Party candidate in the 1996 federal election. She had also unsuccessfully stood for election for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Bulli in the 1991 New South Wales election. By the time of the Fraser by-election, Hill had resigned from the Liberal Party because of the party's attitude to race and immigration, and chose to run as an independent. [ [http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE1602b.htm Hill, Cheryl Anne] , "Australian Women Biographical Entry".]

Results

Election box begin
title=Fraser by-election, 1997 Election box candidate AU party
party = Labor
candidate = Steve Dargavel
votes = 25,867
percentage = 49.10
change = -1.41Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Cheryl Hill
votes = 9,642
percentage = 18.30
change = -21.29Election box candidate AU party
party = Greens
candidate = Dierk von Behrens
votes = 5,584
percentage = 10.60
change = +0.70Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Alice Chu
votes = 4,135
percentage = 7.85
change = +7.85Election box candidate AU party
party = AAFI
candidate = Angela Walker
votes = 1,870
percentage = 3.55
change = +3.55Election box candidate AU party
party = Call to Australia
candidate = John Richard Miller
votes = 1,766
percentage = 3.35
change = +3.35Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Douglas S. Thompson
votes = 1,456
percentage = 2.76
change = +2.76Election box candidate AU party
party = Reclaim Australia
candidate = John Hutchinson
votes = 1,228
percentage = 2.33
change = +2.33Election box candidate AU party
party = Advance Australia
candidate = Kevin Connor
votes = 490
percentage = 0.93
change = +0.93Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Joanne Clarke
votes = 455
percentage = 0.86
change = +0.86

Election box formal
votes = 52,682
percentage = 94.08
change = -2.66Election box informal
votes = 3,313
percentage = 5.92
change = +2.66Election box turnout
votes = 55,995
percentage = 85.25
change = -11.59

Election box candidate AU party
party = Labor
candidate = Steve Dargavel
votes = 34,370
percentage = 65.24
change = +7.92

Election box candidate AU party
party = Independent
candidate = Cheryl Hill
votes = 18,312
percentage = 34.76
change = +34.76

Election box hold AU party
winner = Labor
swing = N/A

Aftermath

The by-election was won easily by Steve Dargavel, the ALP candidate, who held the seat until 1998 when he lost preselection in favour of Bob McMullan.

References

External links

* [http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/supplementary_by_elections/Fraser.htm Fraser (ACT) By-Election (1 February 1997)] , Australian Electoral Commission