2008 Port Macquarie state by-election

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Location in New South Wales

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Port Macquarie on 18 October 2008.[1] This was triggered by the resignation of independent MP Rob Oakeshott who was elected to the federal seat of Lyne at a by-election the previous month.[2]

The writ for the Port Macquarie by-election was issued on 29 August, which was also when the rolls closed. Candidate nominations closed on 18 September. The by-election was contested on the same boundaries drawn for Port Macquarie at the 2007 state election. At that election, the independent MP won the seat over the Nationals by a two-party preferred margin of 78.2% to 21.8%.

Background[]

Created in a 1988 redistribution, Port Macquarie has always been based on Port Macquarie and Laurieton–Camden Haven. It was a safe National Party seat prior to the election of Oakeshott, who was MP for Port Macquarie since 1996, becoming an independent in 2002.

Candidates[]

The following candidates nominated for the election:[3]

  • Independent - James Langley, contested federal Lyne for Labor in 2007. Quit the party over protest at the Iemma state Labor electricity privatisation.[4]
  • Christian Democratic Party - Bob Waldron
  • Independent - Lisa Intemann (former Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor)
  • Greens - Susie Russell
  • National Party - Leslie Williams, Lake Cathie resident, contested Port Macquarie for the Nationals in 2007. Ms Williams is a nurse at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and current chairman of the party's Port Macquarie Electorate Council.[5]
  • Independent - Tony Galati
  • Independent - Grant Rogers
  • Independent - Bob Sharpham
  • Independent - Peter Besseling
  • Independent - Jamie Harrison (former Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor)
  • Independent - Cameron Price

Campaign[]

Federal Hume MP Alby Schultz was seen campaigning a few times for Besseling, referring to him as "the pick of the candidates", with similar support from Senator Bill Heffernan, sparking anger and resentment within the coalition.[6]

Results[]

Despite independent Rob Oakeshott moving into federal politics, another independent, Peter Besseling, retained the seat, winning on the primary and two party vote.[3][7]

2008 Port Macquarie by-election
Saturday 18 October [3][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Peter Besseling 15,003 35.94 +35.94
National Leslie Williams 14,061 33.69 +14.24
Independent Jamie Harrison 3,484 8.35 +8.35
Independent Lisa Intemann 3,134 7.51 +7.51
Independent James Langley 2,045 4.90 +4.90
Greens Susie Russell 1,971 4.72 +1.97
Independent Bob Sharpham 795 1.90 +1.90
Christian Democrats Bob Waldron 514 1.23 +1.23
Independent Tony Galati 417 1.00 +1.00
Independent Grant Rogers 196 0.47 +0.47
Independent Cameron Price 129 0.31 +0.31
Total formal votes 41,749 98.20 −0.54
Informal votes 765 1.26 +0.54
Turnout 42,514 88.21 −5.27
Two-candidate-preferred result
Independent Peter Besseling 20,068 54.52 +54.52
National Leslie Williams 16,741 45.48 +23.70
Independent hold Swing N/A

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Date set for Port Macquarie by-election". ABC News. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  2. ^ "By-elections pressure Coalition's unity". ABC News. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Port Macquarie 2008 by-election result - primary vote" (PDF). elections.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2009.
  4. ^ Langley to contest Port Macquarie as independent: ABC News 12 August 2008
  5. ^ "A Nationals' hopeful for Port Macquarie by-election". taree.yourguide.com.au. 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012.
  6. ^ Drummond, Andy (19 October 2008). "Besseling wins poll thanks to Schultz". The Age. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Port Macquarie 2008 by-election result - two party preferred" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Port Macquarie - 2008 New South Wales By-elections". ABC Elections. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
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