2010 Penrith state by-election
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Location of Penrith in New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A by-election was held for the
Penrith had been in Labor hands for all but one term since its creation in 1974. Labor held it on a majority of 9.1%—a margin that would be considered on the stronger side of fairly safe under normal circumstances (any seat with a two-party margin between 6-10% is considered fairly safe on paper). However, the by-election came at a bad time for the government. In addition to the scandal surrounding Paluzzano, Labor was only polling at 39% support, a marked drop from the 2007 election. While Premier Kristina Keneally had invested considerable time into rehabilitating Labor's image since ousting Nathan Rees in a caucus coup, it was not enough to improve her party's standing in the polls.
The by-election was won by
The loss of Penrith presaged Labor's massive defeat at the 2011 state election nine months later.
Candidates
Candidates are listed in ballot paper order.
Party | Candidate | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Labor Party
|
John Thain | ||
Greens
|
Suzie Wright | ||
Mick Saunders | A member of the unregistered Australia First Party. | ||
Liberal Party
|
Stuart Ayres | Partner of Liberal Senator Marise Payne.[4] | |
Outdoor Recreation Party | David Leyonhjelm | Contested Shooters Party .
| |
Australian Democrats | Jose Sanz | ||
Christian Democratic Party | Andrew Green | ||
Independent
|
Noel Selby |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Stuart Ayres | 19,856 | 51.50 | +18.95 | |
Labor | John Thain | 9,437 | 24.48 | −24.19 | |
Greens
|
Suzie Wright | 4,679 | 12.14 | +6.57 | |
Christian Democrats | Andrew Green | 1,692 | 4.39 | −1.81 | |
Independent | Noel Selby | 1,047 | 2.72 | +2.72 | |
Independent Australia First | Mick Saunders | 766 | 1.99 | +1.99 | |
Outdoor Recreation | David Leyonhjelm | 721 | 1.87 | +1.87 | |
Democrats | Jose Sanz | 358 | 0.93 | +0.04 | |
Total formal votes | 38,556 | 96.78 | −0.49 | ||
Informal votes | 1,282 | 3.22 | +0.49 | ||
Turnout | 39,838 | 86.04 | −5.14 | ||
Two-party-preferred result | |||||
Liberal | Stuart Ayres | 21,831 | 66.48 | +25.73 | |
Labor | John Thain | 11,009 | 33.52 | −25.73 | |
Liberal gain from Labor | Swing | +25.73 |
References
- ^ "Date set for Penrith by-election". ABC. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ "Liar Paluzzano resigns from parliament". The Daily Telegraph. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ "Results: 2010 Penrith by-election - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ The Daily Telegraph [dead link]
- ^ "Check count and declaration votes - Penrith" (PDF). New South Wales Electoral Commission.