2002 Cunningham by-election

Background

Cunningham had been held by Labor since its creation 52 years previously, but a recent local government election for Lord Mayor of Wollongong had seen the Labor candidate lose to an independent, Alex Darling, causing concern in the ALP about their ability to hold the seat given the expectation of a significant protest vote against them. The ALP candidate preselected to replace Martin was Sharon Bird.

The Liberal Party of Australia received 28 percent of the primary vote at the previous election, but chose not to run a candidate in the by-election. Independent candidate David Moulds held Liberal Party membership.

The writ for the by-election was issued on 16 September 2002.

Results

Aftermath

Although Labor received the highest primary vote, the Australian Greens candidate, Michael Organ, won the by-election on a 52.2 percent two-candidate preferred (2CP) vote. Asymmetrical preference flows in the absence of an official Liberal candidate contributed to Labor losing the seat, with their 2CP being reduced by 12.9 percent. Labor, Liberal and Green all contested Cunningham in the 2004 federal election, Labor won the seat back with a two-party preferred (2PP) vote of over 60 percent. Another example is the 2008 Mayo by-election. However, other factors attributed by some to the loss include Martin's premature departure, a messy preselection process for Bird, and discontent from the NSW Labor branch towards federal leader Simon Crean.

References

References

1. Griffiths, Emma: [http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s705507.htm Labor nervous ahead Cunningham by-election], ''[[Lateline]]'' ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]), 18 October 2002.
2. Bennett, Scott: [http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/Pubs/rn/2002-03/03rn18.htm The Cunningham by-election 2002] {{Webarchive. link. (13 July 2007 , [[Parliament of Australia]], 11 November 2002.)
3. "2002 Cunningham by-election".
4. (7 April 2009). "Fremantle By-election - Should the Liberals Run?". ABC News.
5. Green, Antony: [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/cunn.htm Cunningham - Federal Election 2007], [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]], 19 November 2007.