1935 Newcastle by-election

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A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Newcastle on 1 June 1935. This was triggered by the death of long-serving Labor MP David Watkins. Following Watkins' death, only Billy Hughes and Senator George Pearce remained of those elected at the first federal election in 1901.

The by-election was won by Watkins' son, David Oliver Watkins. As Newcastle was the only remaining New South Wales seat held by the federal Labor Party, the by-election was closely fought with the breakaway New South Wales Labor Party, supporters of the controversial former Premier Jack Lang.

Results[]

Newcastle by-election, 1935[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labor David Watkins 25,374 49.0 -8.2
Labor (NSW) James Smith 22,135 42.7 +8.2
Social Credit Hilton Sykes 4,302 8.3 +8.3
Total formal votes 51,811 98.3
Informal votes 908 1.7
Turnout 52,719 93.7
Two-party-preferred result
Labor David Watkins 27,867 53.8 -4.3
Labor (NSW) James Smith 23,944 46.2 +4.3
Labor hold Swing -4.3

References[]

  1. ^ "By-Elections 1934-1937". Psephos.
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