A by-election for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Fremantle took place on Saturday 28 July 2018, following the resignation of incumbent Labor MP Josh Wilson.Citizenship drama flares again, with four MPs and one senator on the way out after High Court ruling: ABC 9 May 2018
In early counting, within 90 minutes of the close of polls, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's psephologist Antony Green's electoral computer had predicted Labor to retain the electorate with an increased margin.July 2018 Federal By-elections: Antony Green ABC This election is notable for being the first time that a Liberal Democrats candidate was included in the two-candidate-preferred counting in an Australian federal election.
The by-election occurred on the same day as four other by-elections for the House of Representatives, colloquially known as Super Saturday.
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Background Due to the High Court ruling against Senator Katy Gallagher on 9 May 2018 as part of the ongoing parliamentary eligibility crisis, Wilson and three other MPs in the same situation announced their parliamentary resignations later that day, while the Perth incumbent resigned for family reasons.Federal Member for Perth Tim Hammond quits politics for family, triggering WA by-election: ABC 2 May 2018 The Speaker announced on 24 May 2018 that he had scheduled the by-elections to occur on 28 July 2018. Popularly labelled "Super Saturday", the occurrence of five simultaneous federal by-elections is unprecedented in Australian political history. The others are: 2018 Braddon by-election 2018 Longman by-election 2018 Mayo by-election 2018 Perth by-election
Key dates Key dates in relation to the by-election are: Thursday, 10 May 2018 – Speaker acceptance of resignation Friday, 15 June 2018 – Issue of writ Friday, 22 June 2018 – Close of electoral rolls (8pm) Thursday, 5 July 2018 – Close of nominations (12 noon) Friday, 6 July 2018 – Declaration of nominations (12 noon) Tuesday, 10 July 2018 – Start of early voting Saturday, 28 July 2018 – Polling day (8am to 6pm) Friday, 10 August 2018 – Last day for receipt of postal votes Sunday, 23 September 2018 – Last day for return of writs
Candidates Candidates (7) in ballot paper order2018 Fremantle by-election guide: Antony Green ABC PartyCandidateBackground ChristiansMark StaerContested Cannington at the 2008 state election and Gosnells at the 2013 state election.2018 Fremantle by-election: australianchristians.org.au GreensDorinda CoxSmall business owner, former police officer, anti-domestic violence campaigner. Later became a Senator for Western Australia. Animal JusticeKatrina LoveParty's national vice president and state convenor. LaborJosh WilsonPrevious MP for Fremantle elected at the 2016 federal election.Labor's quadruple edge in the citizenship by-elections: Candidates, time, history and money - ABC 10 May 2018 Liberal DemocratsJohn GrayFormer Navy officer, Notre Dame University law student, Starlight Children's Foundation entertainer.John Gray - Liberal Democrats candidate for Fremantle: Facebook PeopleJames HarfoucheCurtin University commerce student. IndependentJason SpanbroekRunning on an anti-Labor platform.Jason Spanbroek for Fremantle: Facebook
The Liberals declined to contest the Fremantle and Perth federal by-elections, but concentrated their resources on the Darling Range state by-election.Mathias Cormann admits Liberals have given up on Perth, Fremantle by-elections: ABC 14 May 2018
Polling +Fremantle by-election pollingDateFirmCommissioned bySamplePrimary voteTCP voteALPGRNLDPOTHUNDALPGRN23 July 2018ReachTELLegalise Vaping AustraliaSuper Saturday minus one day: Poll Bludger 27 July 2018692 49.3% 16.0% 17.4% 11.2% 6.1% 69% 31% 2016 election 41.0% 17.7% − 41.3% − 57.5% −
Results
See also July 2018 Australian federal by-elections List of Australian federal by-elections 2017–18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis
References
External links 2018 Fremantle by-election website: Australian Electoral Commission 2018 Fremantle by-election guide: Antony Green ABC 2018 Fremantle by-election guide: The Poll Bludger 2018 Fremantle by-election guide: The Tally Room By-elections aplenty: The Poll Bludger 10 May 2018 Super Saturday July 28: The Poll Bludger 24 May 2018