List of New South Wales state by-elections

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This is a list of by-elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. A by-election may be held when a member's seat becomes vacant through resignation, death or some other reasons. These are referred to as casual vacancies.[1][2]

  • Brackets around a date (D/M/Y) indicate that the candidate was unopposed when nominations closed or that, as a result of an appeal against an election result, the sitting member was replaced by the appellant. These candidates were declared "elected unopposed" with effect from the date of the closing of nominations or appeal decision, and there was no need to hold a by-election.
  • By-elections which resulted in a change in party representation are highlighted as: Gains for the Labor Party and its splinter groups in red; for the Liberal Party and its predecessors in blue; for the National Party and its predecessors in green; for independents and minor parties in grey; for the Free Trade Party in yellow and for the Protectionist Party in cyan.

Fifty-seventh Legislative Assembly 2019–2023[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Holsworthy (TBC) Melanie Gibbons   Liberal Announced resignation to contest federal seat of Hughes TBA TBA TBA
Strathfield Jodi McKay   Labor Resigned 12 February 2022 TBA TBA
Monaro John Barilaro   National Resigned 12 February 2022 TBA TBA
Bega Andrew Constance   Liberal Resigned to contest federal seat of Gilmore 12 February 2022 TBA TBA
Willoughby Gladys Berejiklian   Liberal Resigned due to ICAC investigation.[3] 12 February 2022 TBA TBA
Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen   National Resigned due to police investigation 22 May 2021 Dave Layzell   National

Fifty-sixth Legislative Assembly 2015–2019[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire   Liberal Resigned due to ICAC investigation 8 September 2018 Joe McGirr   Independent
Blacktown John Robertson   Labor Resigned 14 October 2017 Stephen Bali   Labor
Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson   National Resigned 14 October 2017 Steph Cooke   National
Murray Adrian Piccoli   National Resigned 14 October 2017 Austin Evans   National
Gosford Kathy Smith   Labor Resigned due to ill health 8 April 2017 Liesl Tesch   Labor
Manly Mike Baird   Liberal Resigned 8 April 2017 James Griffin   Liberal
North Shore Jillian Skinner   Liberal Resigned 8 April 2017 Felicity Wilson   Liberal
Canterbury Linda Burney   Labor Resigned to contest federal seat of Barton 12 November 2016 Sophie Cotsis   Labor
Orange Andrew Gee   National Resigned to contest federal seat of Calare 12 November 2016 Philip Donato   SFF
Wollongong Noreen Hay   Labor Resigned 12 November 2016 Paul Scully   Labor

Fifty-fifth Legislative Assembly 2011–2015[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Newcastle Tim Owen   Liberal Resigned due to ICAC investigation 25 October 2014 Tim Crakanthorp   Labor
Charlestown Andrew Cornwell   Liberal Resigned due to ICAC investigation 25 October 2014 Jodie Harrison   Labor
Miranda Graham Annesley   Liberal Resigned to become CEO of Gold Coast Titans rugby league team 19 October 2013 Barry Collier   Labor
Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay   Independent Resigned 25 May 2013 Adam Marshall   National
Sydney Clover Moore   Independent Resigned due to new state laws preventing dual membership of state parliament and local council 27 October 2012 Alex Greenwich   Independent
Heffron Kristina Keneally   Labor Resigned after being appointed CEO of Basketball Australia 25 August 2012 Ron Hoenig   Labor
Clarence Steve Cansdell   National Resigned after falsifying a statutory declaration regarding a speeding offence 19 November 2011 Chris Gulaptis   National

Fifty-fourth Legislative Assembly 2007–2011[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Penrith Karyn Paluzzano   Labor Resigned after misleading ICAC 19 June 2010 Stuart Ayres   Liberal
Ryde John Watkins   Labor Resigned to spend time with family 18 October 2008 Victor Dominello   Liberal
Port Macquarie Rob Oakeshott   Independent Resigned to contest federal Lyne by-election 18 October 2008 Peter Besseling   Independent
Lakemba Morris Iemma   Labor Resigned after losing confidence of caucus 18 October 2008 Robert Furolo   Labor
Cabramatta Reba Meagher   Labor Resigned after being dismissed from cabinet 18 October 2008 Nick Lalich   Labor

Fifty-third Legislative Assembly 2003–2007[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Pittwater John Brogden   Liberal Ill health 26 November 2005 Alex McTaggart   Independent
Macquarie Fields Craig Knowles   Labor Resigned after it became apparent that he would not become Premier 17 September 2005 Steven Chaytor   Labor
Maroubra Bob Carr   Labor Resigned as Premier 17 September 2005 Michael Daley   Labor
Marrickville Andrew Refshauge   Labor Resigned as Deputy Premier 17 September 2005 Carmel Tebbutt   Labor
Dubbo Tony McGrane   Independent Death 20 November 2004 Dawn Fardell   Independent

Fifty-second Legislative Assembly 1999–2003[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Hornsby Stephen O'Doherty   Liberal Resigned 23 February 2002 Judy Hopwood   Liberal
Tamworth Tony Windsor   Independent Resigned to contest federal seat of New England at 2001 election 8 December 2001 John Cull   National
Auburn Peter Nagle   Labor Ill health 8 September 2001 Barbara Perry   Labor
Campbelltown Michael Knight   Labor Resigned after completion of term as Olympics Minister 3 February 2001 Graham West   Labor

Fifty-first Legislative Assembly 1995–1999[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Sutherland Chris Downy   Liberal Resigned 12 February 1997 Lorna Stone   Liberal
Port Macquarie Wendy Machin   National Resigned 30 November 1996 Rob Oakeshott   National
Clarence Ian Causley   National Resigned to contest federal seat of Page at the 1996 election 25 May 1996 Harry Woods   Labor
Orange Garry West   National Resigned 25 May 1996 Russell Turner   National
Pittwater Jim Longley   Liberal Resigned 25 May 1996 John Brogden   Liberal
Southern Highlands John Fahey   Liberal Resigned to contest federal seat of Macarthur at the 1996 election 25 May 1996 Peta Seaton   Liberal
Strathfield Paul Zammit   Liberal Resigned to contest federal seat of Lowe at the 1996 election 25 May 1996 Bruce MacCarthy   Liberal

Fiftieth Legislative Assembly 1991–1995[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Cabramatta John Newman   Labor Assassinated by Phuong Ngo 22 October 1994 Reba Meagher   Labor
Parramatta Andrew Ziolkowski   Labor Death 27 August 1994 Gabrielle Harrison   Labor
Vaucluse Michael Yabsley   Liberal Resigned 9 April 1994 Peter Debnam   Liberal
North Shore Phillip Smiles   Liberal Resigned 5 February 1994 Jillian Skinner   Liberal
The Hills Tony Packard   Liberal Resigned after involvement in a business scandal 28 August 1993 Michael Richardson   Liberal
Gordon Tim Moore   Liberal Resigned (see Metherell affair) 22 August 1992 Jeremy Kinross   Liberal
Ku-ring-gai Nick Greiner   Liberal Resigned after losing Premiership (see Metherell affair) 22 August 1992 Stephen O'Doherty   Liberal
Davidson Terry Metherell   Independent Accepted an appointment in the public service (see Metherell affair) 2 May 1992 Andrew Humpherson   Liberal
The Entrance Bob Graham   Liberal Result overturned by the Court of Disputed Returns 18 January 1992 Grant McBride   Labor

Forty-ninth Legislative Assembly 1988–1991[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Coffs Harbour Matt Singleton   National Resigned 3 November 1990 Andrew Fraser   National
Macquarie Fields Stan Knowles   Labor Resigned 3 November 1990 Craig Knowles   Labor
The Hills Fred Caterson   Liberal Resigned 1 September 1990 Tony Packard   Liberal
Granville Laurie Ferguson   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Reid at the 1990 election 23 June 1990 Kim Yeadon   Labor
Heffron Laurie Brereton   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Kingsford-Smith at the 1990 election 23 June 1990 Deirdre Grusovin   Labor
Smithfield Janice Crosio   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Prospect at the 1990 election 23 June 1990 Carl Scully   Labor
Liverpool George Paciullo   Labor Resigned after being passed over as leader of the party 29 April 1989 Peter Anderson   Labor
Wallsend Ken Booth   Labor Death 17 December 1988 John Mills   Labor
North Shore Ted Mack   Independent Resigned 5 November 1988 Robyn Read   Independent
Port Stephens Bob Martin   Labor Result voided by the Court of Disputed Returns 5 November 1988 Bob Martin   Labor
Vaucluse Ray Aston   Liberal Death (6 June 1988)* Michael Yabsley   Liberal
  • Although the Vaucluse by-election was set for 18 June 1988, Michael Yabsley was declared elected unopposed on the close of nominations on 6 June.

Forty-eighth Legislative Assembly 1984–1988[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Northern Tablelands Bill McCarthy   Labor Resignation due to ill health, dying 3 days later 23 May 1987 Ray Chappell   National
Bankstown Ric Mochalski   Labor Resigned after being charged with fraud 31 January 1987 Doug Shedden   Labor
Heathcote Rex Jackson   Labor Resigned amidst a corruption scandal that ultimately led to his imprisonment 31 January 1987 Ian McManus   Labor
Rockdale Brian Bannon   Labor Accepted a government position and created a seat for the Premier 2 August 1986 Barrie Unsworth   Labor
Bass Hill Neville Wran   Labor Resigned 2 August 1986 Michael Owen   Liberal
Pittwater Max Smith   Independent Resigned 31 May 1986 Jim Longley   Liberal
Vaucluse Rosemary Foot   Liberal Resigned 31 May 1986 Ray Aston   Liberal
Kiama Bill Knott   Labor Resigned 1 February 1986 Bob Harrison   Labor
Canterbury Kevin Stewart   Labor Accepted position as Agent-General in London 1 February 1986 Kevin Moss   Labor
Cabramatta Eric Bedford   Labor Resigned 1 February 1986 John Newman   Labor
Gloucester Leon Punch   National Resigned 12 October 1985 Wendy Machin   National
Peats Paul Landa   Labor Death 2 February 1985 Tony Doyle   Labor
Murray Tim Fischer   National Successfully contested the seat of Farrer at the 1984 federal election 2 February 1985 Jim Small   National

Forty-seventh Legislative Assembly 1981–1984[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Maroubra Bill Haigh   Labor Resigned after losing cabinet position 22 October 1983 Bob Carr   Labor
Marrickville Tom Cahill   Labor Death 22 October 1983 Andrew Refshauge   Labor
Riverstone Tony Johnson   Labor Resigned 22 October 1983 Richard Amery   Labor
Kogarah Bill Crabtree   Labor Resigned after losing cabinet position 22 October 1983 Brian Langton   Labor
Drummoyne Michael Maher   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Lowe at the 1982 Lowe by-election 17 April 1982 John Murray   Labor

Forty-sixth Legislative Assembly 1978–1981[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Cessnock Bob Brown   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Hunter at the 1980 election 21 February 1981 Stan Neilly   Labor
Maitland Milton Morris   Liberal Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Lyne at the 1980 election 21 February 1981 Peter Toms   Liberal
Oxley Bruce Cowan   National Country Successfully contested the federal seat of Lyne at the 1980 election 21 February 1981 Peter King   National Country
Sturt Tim Fischer   National Country Resigned to successfully contest the seat of Murray at the 1980 Murray by-election 21 February 1981 John Sullivan   National Country
Bankstown Nick Kearns   Labor Death 13 September 1980 Ric Mochalski   Labor
Ku-ring-gai John Maddison   Liberal Resigned 13 September 1980 Nick Greiner   Liberal
Murray Mary Meillon   Liberal Death 13 September 1980 Tim Fischer   National Country
Castlereagh Jack Renshaw   Labor Resigned 23 February 1980 Jim Curran   Labor

Forty-fifth Legislative Assembly 1976–1978[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Earlwood Eric Willis   Liberal Resigned 15 July 1978 Ken Gabb   Labor
The Hills Max Ruddock   Liberal Resigned 9 October 1976 Fred Caterson   Liberal

Forty-fourth Legislative Assembly 1973–1976[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Orange Charles Cutler   National Country Resigned 14 February 1976 Garry West   National Country
Wagga Wagga Wal Fife   Liberal Resigned to contest the federal seat of Farrer at the next election 6 December 1975 Joe Schipp   Liberal
Lane Cove Ken McCaw   Liberal Resigned 8 February 1975 John Dowd   Liberal
Pittwater Robert Askin   Liberal Resigned 8 February 1975 Bruce Webster   Liberal
Coogee Ross Freeman   Liberal Result voided by the Court of Disputed Returns 20 July 1974 Michael Cleary   Labor
Goulburn Ron Brewer   National Country Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Eden-Monaro at the 1974 federal election 20 July 1974 Ron Brewer   National Country

Forty-third Legislative Assembly 1971–1973[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Murray Joe Lawson   Independent Death 6 October 1973 Mary Meillon   Liberal
Byron Stanley Stephens   Country Resigned 17 February 1973 Jack Boyd   Country
Armidale Davis Hughes   Country Accepted position as Agent-General in London 17 February 1973 David Leitch   Country
Hawkesbury Bernie Deane   Liberal Resigned 17 February 1973 Kevin Rozzoli   Liberal
Charlestown Jack Stewart   Labor Death 18 November 1972. Richard Face   Labor
Mosman Pat Morton   Liberal Resigned 29 July 1972 David Arblaster   Liberal

Forty-second Legislative Assembly 1968–1971[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Georges River Douglas Cross   Liberal Death 19 September 1970 Frank Walker   Labor
Murrumbidgee Al Grassby   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Riverina at the 1969 federal election 14 February 1970 Lin Gordon   Labor
Randwick Lionel Bowen   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Kingsford Smith at the 1969 federal election 14 February 1970 Laurie Brereton   Labor
Upper Hunter Frank O'Keefe   Country Successfully contested the federal seat of Paterson at the 1969 federal election 14 February 1970 Col Fisher   Country
Lake Macquarie Jim Simpson   Labor Death 9 April 1969 Merv Hunter   Labor

Forty-first Legislative Assembly 1965–1968[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Bathurst Gus Kelly   Labor Death 6 May 1967 Clive Osborne   Country
Oxley Les Jordan   Liberal Death 6 November 1965 Bruce Cowan   Country
Bondi Abe Landa   Labor Accepted the position of state Agent-General in London 6 November 1965 Syd Einfeld   Labor

Fortieth Legislative Assembly 1962–1965[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Lakemba Stan Wyatt   Labor Death 19 September 1964 Vince Durick   Labor
Waratah Edward Greaves   Labor Death 8 August 1964 Frank Purdue   Independent
Wollongong-Kembla Rex Connor   Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Cunningham at the 1963 election 29 February 1964 Doug Porter   Labor
Casino Ian Robinson   Country Successfully contested the federal seat of Cowper at the 1963 election 29 February 1964 Richmond Manyweathers   Country

Thirty-ninth Legislative Assembly 1959–1962[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Liverpool Plains Roger Nott   Labor Accepted an appointment as Administrator of the Northern Territory 25 March 1961 Frank O'Keefe   Country
Paddington-Waverley William Ferguson   Labor Death 25 February 1961 Keith Anderson   Labor
Temora Doug Dickson   Country Death 8 October 1960 Jim Taylor   Country
Kurri Kurri George Booth   Labor Death 8 October 1960 Ken Booth   Labor
Cook's River Joseph Cahill   Labor Death 12 December 1959 Tom Cahill   Labor
Lismore Jack Easter   Country Result voided by the Court of Disputed Returns 12 September 1959. Keith Compton   Labor

Thirty-eighth Legislative Assembly 1956–1959[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Wagga Wagga Eddie Graham   Labor Death 14 December 1957 Wal Fife   Liberal
Wollondilly Blake Pelly   Liberal Resigned 26 October 1957 Tom Lewis   Liberal
Vaucluse Murray Robson   Liberal Resigned 24 August 1957 Geoffrey Cox   Liberal
Kahibah Tom Armstrong   Independent Labor Death 13 April 1957 Jack Stewart   Labor
Burwood Leslie Parr   Liberal Death 16 February 1957 Ben Doig   Liberal

Thirty-seventh Legislative Assembly 1953–1956[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Bulli Laurie Kelly Sr.   Labor Death 9 July 1955 Rex Jackson   Labor
Clarence Cecil Wingfield   Country Death 26 March 1955 Bill Weiley   Country
Phillip Tom Shannon   Labor Death 14 August 1954 Pat Hills   Labor
Leichhardt Claude Matthews   Labor Committed suicide 20 March 1954 Reg Coady   Labor
Kahibah Joshua Arthur   Labor Resigned after being expelled from the Labor Party, following adverse findings into his conduct by a Royal Commission 31 October 1953 Tom Armstrong   Independent Labor
Waverley Clarrie Martin   Labor Death 31 October 1953 William Ferguson   Labor
Dulwich Hill George Weir   Labor Appointed to the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales 20 June 1953 Cliff Mallam   Labor

Thirty-sixth Legislative Assembly 1950–1953[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Ashfield Athol Richardson   Liberal Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court 28 June 1952 Jack Richardson   Labor
Liverpool James McGirr   Labor Appointed chair of the Maritime Services Board 24 May 1952 Jack Mannix   Labor
Neutral Bay Ivan Black   Liberal Unsuccessfully contested preselection for the federal seat of Warringah at the 1951 election (21 May 1951) Ivan Black   Liberal
Burwood Gordon Jackett   Liberal Death 2 June 1951 Leslie Parr   Liberal

Thirty-fifth Legislative Assembly 1947–1950[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Concord Brice Mutton   Liberal Death 11 February 1950 John Adamson   Liberal
Wollongong-Kembla Billy Davies   Labor Successfully contested the seat of Cunningham at the 1949 federal election 11 February 1950 Baden Powell   Labor
Armidale David Drummond   Country Successfully contested the seat of New England at the 1949 federal election 11 February 1950 Davis Hughes   Country
Wollondilly Jeff Bate   Liberal Successfully contested the seat of Macarthur at the 1949 federal election (23 January 1950) Blake Pelly   Liberal
Cessnock Jack Baddeley   Labor Accepted an appointment as Chairman of the State Coal Mine Authority 8 October 1949 John Crook   Labor
Redfern George Noble   Labor Death 8 October 1949 Kevin Dwyer   Labor
Concord Bill Carlton   Labor Death 12 March 1949 Brice Mutton   Liberal
Cobar Mat Davidson   Labor Death 12 March 1949 Ernest Wetherell   Labor
Kogarah William Currey   Labor Death 17 July 1948 Douglas Cross   Liberal
Coogee Lou Cunningham   Labor Death 8 May 1948 Kevin Ellis   Liberal
Hartley Hamilton Knight   Labor Accepted an appointment to the Commonwealth Industrial Commission 13 December 1947 Jim Chalmers   Labor

Thirty-fourth Legislative Assembly 1944–1947[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Corowa Christopher Lethbridge   Liberal Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Riverina at the 1946 federal election 9 November 1946 Ebenezer Kendell   Country
Ashfield Athol Richardson   Liberal Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Parkes at the 1946 federal election 9 November 1946 Athol Richardson   Liberal
Auburn Jack Lang   Lang Labor Successfully contested the federal seat of Reid at the 1946 federal election 9 November 1946 Chris Lang   Lang Labor
Albury Alexander Mair   Liberal Unsuccessfully contested a seat in the Australian Senate at the 1946 federal election 9 November 1946 John Hurley   Labor
Goulburn Jack Tully   Labor Resigned 1 June 1946 Laurie Tully   Labor
Neutral Bay Reginald Weaver   Liberal Death 15 December 1945 Ivan Black   Liberal
Manly Alfred Reid   Liberal Death 15 September 1945 Douglas Darby   Liberal
Blacktown Frank Hill   Labor Death 18 August 1945 John Freeman   Labor
Ryde James Shand   Independent Democrat Death 3 February 1945 Eric Hearnshaw   Liberal

Thirty-third Legislative Assembly 1941–1944[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Auburn Jack Lang   Lang Labor Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Reid at the 1943 election 2 October 1943 Jack Lang   Lang Labor
Lachlan Griffith Evans   Country Death 25 September 1943 John Chanter   Labor
Willoughby Edward Sanders   UAP Death 25 September 1943 George Brain   UAP
South Coast Rupert Beale   Independent Death 14 November 1942 Jack Beale   Independent
Dubbo George Wilson   Country Death 6 June 1942 Clarrie Robertson   Labor

Thirty-second Legislative Assembly 1938–1941[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Barwon Ben Wade   Country Unsuccessfully contest the federal seat of Gwydir at the 1940 election 16 November 1940 Roy Heferen   Labor
Ryde Eric Spooner   UAP Successfully contested the federal seat of Robertson at the 1940 election 14 September 1940 Arthur Williams   Labor
Croydon Bertram Stevens   UAP Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Lang at the 1940 election 7 September 1940 David Hunter   UAP
Tamworth Frank Chaffey   UAP Death 10 August 1940 Bill Chaffey   UAP
Upper Hunter Malcolm Brown   Country Death 7 October 1939 D'Arcy Rose   Country
Waverley John Waddell   UAP Death 22 April 1939 Clarrie Martin   Industrial Labor
Hurstville James Webb   UAP Death 18 March 1939 Clive Evatt   Industrial Labor
Balmain John Quirk   Labor Death 14 January 1939 Mary Quirk   Labor
Wollondilly Mark Morton   UAP Death 12 November 1938 Jeff Bate   UAP
Gordon Harry Turner   UAP Result voided by Court of Disputed Returns 24 September 1938 Harry Turner   UAP
Coogee John Dunningham   UAP Death 25 June 1938 Thomas Mutch   UAP

Thirty-first Legislative Assembly 1935–1938[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Corowa Richard Ball   Country Death 11 December 1937 Christopher Lethbridge   Independent
Gordon Philip Goldfinch   UAP Resigned (Increased commitment to business interests) 7 August 1937 Harry Turner   UAP
Woollahra Daniel Levy   UAP Death 26 June 1937 Harold Mason   Independent UAP
Vaucluse William Foster   UAP Death 29 August 1936 Murray Robson   Independent UAP
Gordon Thomas Bavin   UAP Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court (23 November 1935) Philip Goldfinch   UAP

Thirtieth Legislative Assembly 1932–1935[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Leichhardt Joe Lamaro   Labor (NSW) Unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Watson at the 1934 election 20 October 1934 Claude Matthews   Labor (NSW)
Gloucester Walter Bennett   UAP Death 25 August 1934 Charles Bennett   UAP
Hamilton Hugh Connell   Labor (NSW) Death 24 February 1934 William Brennan   Labor (NSW)
Annandale Robert Stuart-Robertson   Labor (NSW) Death 24 June 1933 Bob Gorman   Labor (NSW)
Bulli Andrew Lysaght, junior   Labor (NSW) Death 3 June 1933 John Sweeney   Labor (NSW)
Lismore William Missingham   Country Death 11 March 1933 William Frith   Country
Leichhardt Barney Olde   Labor (NSW) Death 10 December 1932 Joe Lamaro   Labor (NSW)

Twenty-ninth Legislative Assembly 1930–1932[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Upper Hunter William Cameron   Nationalist Death 13 June 1931 Malcolm Brown   Independent Country
Annandale Robert Stuart-Robertson   Labor (NSW) Insolvency 25 April 1931 Robert Stuart-Robertson   Labor (NSW)
Clarence Alfred Pollack   Country Death 7 March 1931 Alfred Henry   Country

Twenty-eighth Legislative Assembly 1927–1930[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Lane Cove Bryce Walmsley   Nationalist Death 26 July 1930 Herbert FitzSimons   Nationalist
Ashfield Milton Jarvie   Nationalist Resigned after being implicated in a bribery scandal 5 October 1929 Milton Jarvie   Nationalist
Parramatta Albert Bruntnell   Nationalist Death 23 February 1929 Herbert Lloyd   Nationalist
Coogee Hyman Goldstein   Nationalist Death – probably murdered by ex-MLA Tom Ley 22 September 1928 John Dunningham   Nationalist
Hamilton David Murray   Labor Death 8 September 1928 James Smith   Labor
Wollondilly George Fuller   Nationalist Accepted position as Agent-General in London in February 1928 3 March 1928 Mark Morton   Nationalist

Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly 1925–1927[]

The 25th, 26th and 27th Legislative Assemblies were elected using a form of proportional representation with multi-member seats and a single transferable vote (modified Hare-Clark). Under the provisions of the Parliamentary Elections (Casual Vacancies) Act, casual vacancies were filled by the next unsuccessful candidate on the incumbent member's party list. If an Independent member retired, the Clerk of the Assembly determined who would fill the vacancy based on the departing members voting record in questions of confidence. The date listed as the by-election date is the day on which the new member was sworn into the Assembly.

Electorate Incumbent Party Reason for vacancy Date of appointment Person appointed Party
Cumberland William FitzSimons   Nationalist Death (22 September 1926) James Shand   Nationalist
North Shore Alick Kay   Independent Accepted a position on the . (22 September 1926) Arthur Tonge   Labor
Goulburn John Perkins   Nationalist Resigned to successfully contest the federal seat of Eden-Monaro at the 1926 Eden-Monaro by-election. (21 January 1926) Henry Bate   Nationalist
St George Thomas Ley   Nationalist Resigned to successfully contest the federal seat of Barton at the 1925 election (30 September 1925) William Bagnall   Nationalist
Sydney John Birt   Labor Death (24 June 1925) Patrick Minahan   Labor

¶ Kay had supported the Lang Government in votes of confidence in the Assembly, the Clerk of the Parliament therefore named the first unsuccessful Labor candidate in the North Shore electorate as his replacement.

Twenty-sixth Legislative Assembly 1922–1925[]

Electorate Incumbent Party Reason for vacancy Date of appointment Person appointed Party
North Shore Arthur Cocks   Nationalist Accepted position of Agent-General in London (24 March 1925) Alfred Reid   Nationalist
Namoi Patrick Scully   Labor Resigned (20 September 1923) William Scully   Labor
Sturt Jabez Wright   Labor Death (30 September 1922) Ted Horsington   Labor
Wammerawa William Ashford   Independent Result overturned (Change of member without by-election) (26 July 1922) Joseph Clark   Labor

Twenty-fifth Legislative Assembly 1920–1922[]

Electorate Incumbent Party Reason for vacancy Date of appointment Person appointed Party
Goulburn ‡ William Millard   Nationalist Death (22 November 1921) John Perkins   Nationalist
Balmain John Storey   Labor Death (18 October 1921) Tom Keegan   Labor
Newcastle William Kearsley   Labor Death (30 August 1921) David Murray   Labor
Sturt Percy Brookfield   Socialist Labor Murdered while trying to disarm a deranged man at Riverton (30 August 1921) Jabez Wright   Labor
Oxley George Briner   Progressive Death (15 December 1920) Theodore Hill   Progressive
Eastern Suburbs James Fingleton   Labor Death (15 December 1920) Daniel Dwyer   Labor
Goulburn Gus James   Nationalist Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court (15 December 1920) William Millard   Nationalist
Murray George Beeby   Progressive Accepted a judicial appointment (15 December 1920) Matthew Kilpatrick   Progressive

¶ The Speaker had received correspondence nominating two unsuccessful candidates from the 1920 election, Thomas Hynes and John O'Reilly. However, the terms of the Parliamentary Elections (Casual Vacancies) Act stated that a nomination to fill the vacancy had to come from a recognised party leader. Labor leader and Premier John Storey nominated Jabez Wright.[4]

‡Millard had been appointed to replace Gus James and, as there were no further unsuccessful Nationalist candidates, the Parliamentary Elections (Casual Vacancies) Act was amended to allow his replacement by another Nationalist supporter.

Twenty-fourth Legislative Assembly 1917–1920[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Paddington Lawrence O'Hara   Labor Death 26 July 1919 John Birt   Labor
Paddington John Osborne   Labor Accepted as appointment to the Metropolitan Meat Board 24 May 1919 Lawrence O'Hara   Labor
Petersham John Cohen   Nationalist Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the District Court 22 March 1919 Sydney Shillington   Nationalist
Monaro Gus Miller   Labor Death 23 November 1918 John Bailey   Labor
Upper Hunter Mac Abbott   Nationalist Resigned 8 June 1918 William Cameron   Nationalist
Cobar Charles Fern   Labor Death (1 June 1918) Mat Davidson   Labor
Gloucester Richard Price   Independent Liberal Expelled after a Royal Commission found he had made "wanton lies" in an attack on the Lands Minister William Ashford 10 November 1917 Richard Price   Independent Liberal
Murray Robert Scobie   Nationalist Death 22 September 1917 Brian Doe   Nationalist
Macquarie Thomas Thrower   Labor Death 12 July 1917 Patrick McGirr   Labor

Twenty-third Legislative Assembly 1913–1917[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Sturt John Cann   Labor Accepted the position of Commissioner of Railways 3 February 1917 Percy Brookfield   Labor
Bingara George McDonald   Labor Resigned from Labor after the 1916 NSW Labor Conference passed a motion of no confidence in the Holman government 10 June 1916 George McDonald   Independent Labor
Parramatta Tom Moxham   Liberal Reform Death 12 February 1916 Albert Bruntnell   Liberal Reform
Drummoyne George Richards   Liberal Reform Death 22 January 1916 Alexander Graff   Liberal Reform
Willoughby Edward Larkin   Labor Died on active service on 25 April 1915 25 September 1915 John Haynes   Independent
Wollondilly Frank Badgery   Liberal Reform Death (2 October 1915) George Fuller   Liberal Reform
Armidale George Braund   Liberal Reform Died on active service (18 September 1915) Herbert Lane   Liberal Reform
Clarence John McFarlane   Liberal Reform Death 14 August 1915 William Zuill   Farmers and Settlers
Castlereagh John Treflé   Labor Death 20 February 1915 Guy Arkins   Labor
Canterbury Henry Peters   Labor Bankrupt 10 October 1914 George Cann   Labor

Twenty-second Legislative Assembly 1910–1913[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Wollondilly William McCourt   Liberal Reform Death 19 July 1913 Frank Badgery   Liberal Reform
Blayney George Beeby   Labor Resigned from the ministry, parliament and party in protest at the power of the extra-parliamentary Labor Party executive 23 January 1913 George Beeby   Independent
Alexandria John Dacey   Labor Death 18 May 1912 Simon Hickey   Labor
Maitland John Gillies   Independent Liberal Death 28 October 1911 Charles Edward Nicholson   Liberal Reform
Yass Niels Nielson   Labor 5 March 1913 Greg McGirr   Labor
Cobar Donald Macdonell   Labor (16 December 1911) Charles Fern   Labor
Cobar Donald Macdonell   Labor (7 October 1911) Donald Macdonell   Labor
Liverpool Plains John Perry   Liberal Reform 28 October 1911 William Ashford   Labor
Liverpool Plains Henry Hoyle   Labor 16 August 1911 John Perry   Liberal Reform
Mudgee Bill Dunn   Labor 16 August 1911 Bill Dunn   Labor

¶ Mudgee Labor MLA Bill Dunn and Liverpool Plains Labor MLA Henry Hoyle resigned from the Labor Party and Parliament on 25 July 1911 in protest at legislation on land ownership introduced by Lands Minister, Niels Nielson. As a result, Labor was left without a majority in the house and rather than face a vote of no confidence, the Ministry and Speaker resigned. This forced the House to be prorogued with the result that Cobar Labor MLA, Donald Macdonell, who was unwell but expected to recover, was automatically expelled for non-attendance during an entire session. By the time of the subsequent by-elections, Labor policy had been reversed and Nielsen had left the ministry. Dunn rejoined the party and successfully re-contested, the Mudgee by-election on 16 August 1911. Hoyle did not re-contest the Liverpool Plains by-election which was won by Liberal candidate, John Perry by three votes on the same day. This result was overturned on appeal and at the second by-election on 28 October, Labor candidate, William Ashford was successful. In Cobar, Macdonell was unopposed when re-elected on 7 October, but died three weeks later. The Labor candidate, Charles Fern was unopposed at the second by-election on 16 December. Denied further ministerial appointment Nielsen resigned from the seat of Yass and Labor candidate Greg McGirr won the resultant by-election on 19 July 1913.

Twenty-first Legislative Assembly 1907–1910[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Belmore Edward O'Sullivan   Labor Death 21 May 1910 Patrick Minahan   Labor
Darling Harbour John Norton   Independent Resigned to unsuccessfully contest a Senate seat at the 1910 election 13 April 1910 John Cochran   Labor
Queanbeyan Granville Ryrie   Liberal Reform Resigned to unsuccessfully contest the federal seat of Werriwa at the 1910 election 13 April 1910 John Cusack   Labor
Upper Hunter William Fleming   Liberal Reform Resigned to unsuccessfully contest the federal seat of New England at the 1910 election 13 April 1910 William Ashford   Labor
Northumberland Matthew Charlton   Labor Resigned to successfully contest the federal seat of Hunter at the 1910 election (23 March 1910) William Kearsley   Labor
Sturt Arthur Griffith   Labor Resigned from parliament after a dispute with the Speaker (21 November 1908) Arthur Griffith   Labor
St George Joseph Carruthers   Liberal Reform Resigned 20 May 1908 William Taylor   Liberal Reform

Twentieth Legislative Assembly 1904–1907[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Blayney Paddy Crick   Progressive Resigned after being acquitted of corruption charges 12 January 1907 John Withington   Liberal Reform
Castlereagh Hugh Macdonald   Labor Death 24 November 1906 John Treflé   Labor
Surry Hills John Norton   Independent Challenged William Holman to face a by-election 21 July 1906 Albert Bruntnell   Liberal Reform
Cootamundra William Holman   Labor Challenged to a by-election by John Norton 17 July 1906 William Holman   Labor
Queanbeyan Alan Millard   Liberal Reform Criminal conviction: Fraud 7 April 1906 Granville Ryrie   Liberal Reform
Ashfield Frederick Winchcombe   Liberal Reform Extended absence visiting England 16 August 1905 William Robson   Liberal Reform
Rous John Coleman   Liberal Reform Death 11 February 1905 George Hindmarsh   Liberal Reform

Nineteenth Legislative Assembly 1901–1904[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Ryde Frank Farnell   Independent Liberal Appointment to Fisheries Board 23 January 1904 Edward Terry   Independent Liberal
Illawarra Archibald Campbell   Liberal Reform Death 9 January 1904 Edward Allen   Liberal Reform
Moree William Webster   Labor Successful candidate for Gwydir at federal election 12 December 1903 Percy Stirton   Liberal Reform
Armidale Edmund Lonsdale   Liberal Reform Successful candidate for New England at federal election 12 December 1903 Sydney Kearney   Liberal Reform
Waratah Arthur Griffith   Labor Unsuccessful candidate for Senate at federal election 5 December 1903 Matthew Charlton   Labor
Glen Innes Francis Wright   Progressive Death 28 October 1903 Follett Thomas   Liberal Reform
Willoughby George Howarth   Liberal Reform Bankruptcy 9 September 1903 Charles Wade   Liberal Reform
Tamworth Raymond Walsh   Progressive Bankruptcy 4 April 1903 John Garland   Liberal Reform
Balmain South Sydney Law   Labor Refused Caucus solidarity pledge 6 December 1902 Sydney Law   Independent Labor
Inverell William McIntyre   Progressive Death 31 May 1902 George Jones   Labor
Sydney-Pyrmont Samuel Smith   Labor Appointment to Court of Arbitration 24 May 1902 John McNeill   Labor
Condoublin Patrick Clara   Labor Election overturned by the Elections and Qualifications Committee 4 November 1901 Patrick Clara   Labor

Eighteenth Legislative Assembly 1898–1901[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Hume William Lyne   Protectionist Successfully contested Hume at 1901 Federal election 17 April 1901 Gordon McLaurin   Protectionist
Ashfield Bernhard Wise   Protectionist Appointed to Legislative Council 10 November 1900 Frederick Winchcombe   Free Trade
Uralla-Walcha William Piddington   Protectionist Death 27 October 1900 Michael MacMahon   Protectionist
Bourke William Davis   Protectionist Resignation due to insolvency (6 September 1900) William Davis   Protectionist
Canterbury Sydney Smith   Free Trade By-election result voided by the Elections and Qualifications Committee 28 July 1900 Thomas Taylor   Independent
Bathurst Francis Suttor   Protectionist Appointed to Legislative Council 25 June 1900 William Young   Protectionist
Canterbury Varney Parkes   Free Trade Resignation 9 June 1900 Sydney Smith   Free Trade
Uralla-Walcha William Piddington   Protectionist Resignation due to insolvency 9 June 1900 William Piddington   Protectionist
Sydney-Phillip Henry Copeland   Protectionist Accepted post as Agent-General in London 7 April 1900 Daniel O'Connor   Protectionist
Hastings and Macleay Edmund Barton   Protectionist Resigned to take Constitution to London 1 March 1900 Francis Clarke   Protectionist
Boorowa Kenneth Mackay   Protectionist Appointed to Legislative Council 30 September 1899 Niels Nielsen   Labor
Northumberland Richard Stevenson   National Federal Death 20 July 1899 John Norton   Independent
Parramatta William Ferris   Independent Federalist Election declared void by the Elections and Qualifications Committee 26 October 1898 William Ferris   Protectionist
Hastings and Macleay Francis Clarke   National Federal Resigned to give Barton a seat 23 September 1898 Edmund Barton   National Federal

Seventeenth Legislative Assembly 1895–1898[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Sydney-Fitzroy John McElhone   Independent Free Trade Death 3 June 1898 John Norton   Protectionist
Narrabri Charles Collins   Free Trade Death 3 June 1898 Hugh Ross   Labor
Lachlan James Carroll   Protectionist Resignation due to insolvency (11 September 1896) James Carroll   Protectionist
Cowra Denis Donnelly   Protectionist Death 27 March 1896 Michael Phillips   Protectionist
Waverley Angus Cameron   Free Trade Death 18 February 1896 Thomas Jessep   Free Trade
Sydney-Phillip Dick Meagher   Protectionist Resigned in disgrace in relation to the pardon of George Dean 17 October 1895 Henry Copeland   Protectionist
Rylstone John Fitzpatrick   Free Trade Election result voided by the Elections and Qualifications Committee 14 October 1895 John Fitzpatrick   Free Trade

Sixteenth Legislative Assembly 1894–1895[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Canterbury Varney Parkes   Free Trade Resignation due to insolvency (14 June 1895) Varney Parkes   Free Trade
Bowral William McCourt   Free Trade Resignation due to insolvency (19 February 1895) William McCourt   Free Trade
Boorowa Thomas Slattery   Protectionist Resigned 15 January 1895 Kenneth Mackay   Protectionist
Willoughby Joseph Cullen   Free Trade Resignation due to insolvency 30 November 1894 Edward Clark   Free Trade
Tweed John Willard   Labor Not a resident of NSW 29 November 1894 Joseph Kelly   Protectionist
Grenfell George Greene   Free Trade Election result overturned by the Elections and Qualifications Committee (no by-election) (25 October 1894) Michael Loughnane   Labor

Fifteenth Legislative Assembly 1891–1894[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Macleay Otho Dangar   Protectionist Financial difficulty 29 May 1893 Francis Clarke   Protectionist
Central Cumberland John Nobbs   Free Trade Financial difficulty 6 May 1893 George McCredie   Free Trade
Murrumbidgee George Dibbs   Protectionist Financial difficulty (6 April 1893) George Dibbs   Protectionist
South Sydney James Toohey   Protectionist Resigned 13 February 1893 William Manning   Protectionist
East Macquarie James Tonkin   Free Trade Financial difficulty 13 August 1892 James Tonkin   Free Trade
Hawkesbury Alexander Bowman   Free Trade Death 23 July 1892 Sydney Burdekin   Free Trade
Bogan George Cass   Protectionist Death 31 May 1892 William A'Beckett   Free Trade
Bourke Peter Howe   Protectionist Resigned after conviction for conspiracy to defraud 4 December 1891 Thomas Waddell   Protectionist
Illawarra John Nicholson   Labor Previous result voided by the Elections and Qualifications Committee 3 October 1891 John Nicholson   Labor
Andrew Lysaght   Protectionist Archibald Campbell   Free Trade
Canterbury John Wheeler   Free Trade Election result overturned by the Elections and Qualifications Committee (no by-election) (2 September 1891) James Eve   Free Trade
Central Cumberland Robert Ritchie   Free Trade Death 29 August 1891 Jacob Garrard   Free Trade

Fourteenth Legislative Assembly 1889–1891[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Wellington David Ferguson   Protectionist Death 29 May 1891 Thomas York   Protectionist
East Sydney John Street   Free Trade Death 14 April 1891 Walter Bradley   Protectionist
Newcastle James Fletcher   Protectionist Death 14 April 1891 William Grahame   Protectionist
West Macquarie Paddy Crick   Protectionist Expelled for outrageous behaviour in the chamber 6 December 1890 Paddy Crick   Protectionist
West Sydney Alfred Lamb   Free Trade Death 25 October 1890 Adolphus Taylor   Independent
Goulburn William Teece Jr   Free Trade Death 16 August 1890 Cecil Teece   Free Trade
Namoi Tom Dangar   Free Trade Death 31 July 1890 Charles Collins   Free Trade
Hartley John Hurley   Free Trade Financial Difficulty 22 July 1890 John Hurley   Free Trade
Balmain John Hawthorne   Free Trade Financial Difficulty (10 July 1890) John Hawthorne   Free Trade
Hastings and Manning Charles Roberts   Free Trade Resigned 5 April 1890 Walter Vivian   Free Trade
Monaro Harold Stephen   Protectionist Death 17 December 1889 Gus Miller   Protectionist
Newcastle William Grahame   Protectionist Financial Difficulty 12 October 1889 James Curley   Free Trade
Central Cumberland Frank Farnell   Free Trade Financial difficulty (5 October 1889) Frank Farnell   Free Trade
Central Cumberland John Linsley   Free Trade Death 22 July 1889 David Dale   Free Trade
Redfern John Sutherland   Protectionist Death 8 July 1889 William Schey   Protectionist
Tamworth Robert Levien   Protectionist Sought a new mandate after being involved in a legal scandal (18 June 1889) Robert Levien   Protectionist

Thirteenth Legislative Assembly 1887–1889[]

By-election Incumbent Party Reason Date Winner Party
Gunnedah Thomas Goodwin   Protectionist Resigned 12 September 1888 Edwin Turner   Free Trade
Redfern James Farnell   Free Trade Death 8 September 1888 Peter Howe   Protectionist
Central Cumberland Andrew McCulloch   Free Trade Financial difficulty 15 May 1888 David Buchanan   Protectionist
Central Cumberland Varney Parkes   Free Trade Business commitments 14 March 1888 John Nobbs   Free Trade
Newtown William Foster   Free Trade Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court 25 February 1888 Joseph Mitchell   Free Trade
Newtown Frederick Gibbes   Free Trade Death 3 February 1888 Joseph Abbott   Free Trade
Paddington William Trickett   Free Trade Appointed to Legislative Council 12 January 1888 William Allen   Protectionist
Central Cumberland Andrew McCulloch   Free Trade Financial difficulty 28 December 1887 Andrew McCulloch   Free Trade
St Leonards Henry Parkes   Free Trade Financial difficulty (25 October 1887) Henry Parkes   Free Trade
Wentworth William MacGregor   Independent Free Trade Resigned 28 September 1887 Thomas Browne   Protectionist
Mudgee Adolphus Taylor   Free Trade Accepted position as Examiner of Patents 11 May 1887 John Haynes   Free Trade

No party system was discernible in the New South Wales parliament before the election of 1887[]

Twelfth Legislative Assembly 1885–1887[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Bourke Russell Barton
William Sawers		 Resigned 21 January 1887 Parliament dissolved before writ returned
Kiama Harman Tarrant Resigned 13 January 1887 Angus Cameron
New England William Proctor Resigned 10 January 1887 William Proctor
Yass Plains Louis Heydon Retired 20 December 1886 Thomas Colls
Wollombi Lyall Scott Retired (ill-health) 17 December 1886 Richard Stevenson
Mudgee John Robertson Retired (ill-health, financial difficulties and loss of premiership) (2 July 1886) William Wall
Gwydir William Campbell Resigned 10 June 1886 Thomas Hassall
Young William Watson Election result overturned by the Qualifications Committee (no by-election) (22 December 1885) James MacKinnon

Eleventh Legislative Assembly 1882–1885[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Central Cumberland John Lackey Accepted nomination to the Legislative Council 24 September 1885 Varney Parkes.
Canterbury Henry Moses Accepted nomination to the Legislative Council 16 September 1885 William Henson
St Leonards Bernhardt Holtermann Death 4 June 1885 Isaac Ives
Argyle John Gannon Resigned due to ill health 31 March 1885 Henry Parkes
Carcoar Andrew Lynch Death 21 November 1884 Ezekial Baker
Tenterfield Henry Parkes Resigned, claiming that he was retiring from politics (24 November 1884) Charles Lee
Monaro Robert Tooth Resigned (24 July 1884) David Ryrie
West Macquarie Thomas Hellyer Resigned 2 July 1884 Lewis Lloyd
Northumberland Atkinson Tighe Resigned due to ill health 26 May 1884 Richard Luscombe
Gundagai Bruce Smith Resigned 22 April 1884 James Watson
Canterbury William Pigott Resigned (private work commitments) 19 April 1884 Mark Hammond
East Sydney George Reid Found to have a position of profit under the crown 29 February 1884 Sydney Burdekin
Bathurst Francis Suttor Found to have a position of profit under the crown (11 February 1884) Francis Suttor
Glebe George Allen Prolonged voyage to England. 26 August 1883 Michael Chapman
Upper Hunter John McElhone Challenged Adolphus Taylor to resign 6 March 1883 John McElhone
Mudgee Adolphus Taylor Challenged by John McElhone to resign 6 March 1883 Adolphus Taylor
East Sydney John McElhone Elected to two seats 23 January 1883 Henry Copeland
Newtown Henry Copeland Ministerial (defeated) 13 January 1883 Joseph Mitchell

Tenth Legislative Assembly 1880–1882[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Gundagai William Forster Death 23 November 1882 Bruce Smith
Tumut James Hoskins Resigned to take a recuperative sea voyage 17 October 1882 Thomas O'Mara
East Macquarie Alfred Pechey Death 11 July 1882 Sydney Smith
Tenterfield John Dillon Resigned 6 February 1882 Augustus Fraser
Wentworth William Brodribb Appointed to the Legislative Council 23 January 1882 Edward Quin
East Macquarie Edmund Webb Appointed to the Legislative Council 19 January 1882 Alfred Pechey
Northumberland William Turner Resigned (He was supported by the local coal miners union, however the subscriptions were insufficient to support him in the assembly) 18 January 1882 Thomas Hungerford
Mudgee Samuel Terry Appointed to the Legislative Council (20 January 1882) John Robertson
Redfern John Sutherland Appointed to the Legislative Council 11 January 1882 Francis Wright
Yass Plains Michael Fitzpatrick Death 10 January 1882 Louis Heydon
Argyle Phillip Myers Death 9 December 1881 John Gannon
Newtown Stephen Brown Appointed to the Legislative Council 1 December 1881 Joseph Mitchell
Carcoar Ezekial Baker Expelled after he had been found to have fraudulently dealt with trust funds 1 December 1881 George Campbell
Queanbeyan James Thompson Resigned 21 January 1881 Thomas Rutledge

Ninth Legislative Assembly 1877–1880[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Windsor Richard Driver Death 29 July 1880 Henry McQuade
Illawarra Samuel Gray Resigned 7 July 1880 Alexander Stuart
Kiama Samuel Charles Prolonged voyage to Europe 2 July 1880 Harman Tarrant
Northumberland Thomas Hungerford Resigned (attend to personal business matters) 30 April 1880 Ninian Melville
Clarence Thomas Bawden Resigned 7 April 1880 Charles Fawcett
Paddington John Sutherland Resigned (company won government contract) 20 February 1880 William Hezlet
East Sydney Alexander Stuart Accepted position as Agent-General in London 17 December 1879 Arthur Renwick
University of Sydney William Windeyer Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court 26 August 1879 Edmund Barton
East Macquarie William Suttor, Jr. Resigned 15 August 1879 Edward Combes
Mudgee 2 Richard Rouse Result overturned by the Qualifications Committee (no by-election) (7 March 1879) David Buchanan
Orange Edward Combes Found to have an office of profit under the crown 4 March 1879 Andrew Kerr
Mudgee John Robertson Appointed to the Legislative Council 6 January 1879 Richard Rouse
East Maitland Stephen Scholey Death 5 June 1878 Henry Badgery
East Macquarie John Robertson Elected to two seats, 1 February 1878 Edmund Webb

Eighth Legislative Assembly 1874–1877[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Northumberland Charles Stevens Financial difficulties 20 July 1877 William Turner
Orange Harris Nelson Resigned (22 February 1877) Edward Combes
Williams William Watson Resigned February 1877 William Johnston
Mudgee Stephen Goold Death 5 October 1876 Richard Rouse
University of Sydney New seat 8 September 1876 William Windeyer
Carcoar Solomon Meyer Resigned due to financial difficulties (21 June 1876) Andrew Lynch
Liverpool Plains Hanley Bennett Financial difficulties 5 June 1876 Hanley Bennett
Hartley Thomas Browne Found to have held a position of profit under the crown 21 April 1876 John Hurley
Parramatta Hugh Taylor Resigned as he may have had a position of profit under the crown 20 April 1876 Hugh Taylor
Murrumbidgee William Forster Accepted the position of Agent-General in London (6 March 1876) Joseph Leary
Upper Hunter Thomas Hungerford By-election result voided by Qualifications Committee 5 August 1875 Thomas Robertson
Central Cumberland Joseph Wearne Financial difficulties 28 June 1875 William Long
Upper Hunter Francis White Death 7 June 1875 Thomas Hungerford
Paterson William Arnold Death 18 March 1875 Herbert Brown

Seventh Legislative Assembly 1872–1874[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
West Maitland Benjamin Lee Financial difficulties 4 August 1874 Lewis Levy
East Sydney James Neale Resigned 15 July 1874 Charles Moore
East Macquarie James Martin Accepted appointment as Chief Justice 1 December 1873 Walter Cooper
Mudgee Joseph Innes Appointed to the Legislative Council 8 September 1873 Joseph O'Connor
Hume James McLaurin Resigned 31 March 1873 Thomas Robertson
Murray Patrick Jennings Resigned 5 August 1872 William Hay
East Sydney Saul Samuel Appointed to the Legislative Council 12 June 1872 George Oakes
Parramatta Hugh Taylor Disqualified himself at the declaration of the poll as he had a position of profit under the crown (22 May 1872) Hugh Taylor

Sixth Legislative Assembly 1869–1872[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Mudgee Henry Stephen Resigned 2 January 1872 Henry Parkes
New England Charles Weaver Resigned 28 August 1871 Samuel Terry
Shoalhaven Thomas Garrett Accepted the position of Police Magistrate at Berrima (28 August 1871) James Warden
Liverpool Plains Charles Cowper Accepted the position of Agent-General in London 9 January 1871 Lewis Levy
Kiama Henry Parkes Financial difficulties (12 January 1871) John Stewart
Canterbury Montagu Stephen Prolonged visit to England 6 January 1871 John Lucas
Goldfields South Ezekiel Baker Accepted appointment to the Goldfields Royal Commission 12 December 1870 Ezekiel Baker
Monaro Daniel Egan Death 17 November 1870 James Hart
Kiama Henry Parkes Financial difficulties 3 November 1870 Henry Parkes
Braidwood Michael Kelly Result voided due to electoral irregularities 17 October 1870 Edward Greville
Hastings Horace Dean Election overturned as not a British subject (no by-election) (4 July 1870) Robert Smith
Wollombi Joseph Eckford Financial difficulties 19 September 1870 Joseph Eckford
Hastings Horace Dean Found to have held an office of profit under the crown 4 July 1870 Horace Dean
Goldfields South Ezekiel Baker Resigned (11 July 1870) Ezekiel Baker
Goldfields North Robert Wisdom Elected to two seats 18 April 1870 Robert Forster
West Sydney John Robertson Financial difficulties 2 March 1870 John Robertson
East Sydney Henry Parkes Elected to two seats 23 February 1870 Bowie Wilson

Fifth Legislative Assembly 1864–1869[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Braidwood Joshua Josephson Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the District Court (25 September 1869) Michael Kelly
Goldfields West George Thornton Prolonged trip to England 15 February 1869 Walter Church
Central Cumberland Allan Macpherson Cause of resignation is unknown 17 December 1868 Samuel Lyons
West Sydney Samuel Joseph Prolonged trip to England 15 December 1868 William Campbell
Canterbury James Pemell Cause of resignation is unknown (19 September 1868) Richard Hill
Illawarra George Pickering Cause of resignation is unknown 6 July 1868 James Hoskins
Upper Hunter James White Prolonged trip to England 6 June 1868 Archibald Bell
East Macquarie David Buchanan Traveled to England to study for the bar 26 August 1867 John Suttor
Orange William Forlonge Financial Difficulty 1 July 1867 George McKay
Central Cumberland John Hay Appointed to the Legislative Council 27 June 1867 John Lackey
East Sydney Charles Cowper Financial Difficulty 20 March 1867 Marshall Burdekin
Goldfields West Stephen Donnelly Cause of resignation is unknown 26 February 1867 George Thornton
Bathurst James Kemp Cause of resignation is unknown (24 December 1866) William Suttor
East Sydney John Caldwell Financial Difficulty (24 September 1866) Robert Stewart
Illawarra Patrick Osborne Prolonged trip to England 6 September 1866 John Stewart
Clarence John Laycock Cause of resignation is unknown 27 August 1866 John Robertson
Tumut Charles Cowper Jr. Absent from parliament without leave 20 August 1866 Edward Brown
Williams 2 Frederick Manton Financial Difficulty 19 April 1866 John Nowlan
Williams 1 Marshall Burdekin Ministerial by-election 22 January 1866 Frederick Manton
West Sydney John Robertson Ministerial by-election 17 January 1866 William Windeyer
Yass Plains Peter Faucett Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court (6 November 1865) Robert Isaacs
West Sydney 3 John Robertson Financial Difficulty (20 October 1865) John Robertson
West Sydney 2 John Darvall Retired to England 7 July 1865 Geoffrey Eagar
Gwydir Tom Dangar Position of profit under the crown 29 June 1865 Tom Dangar
Monaro James Martin Elected to two seats (10 April 1865) William Grahame
Canterbury John Lucas Elected to two seats 24 February 1865 James Pemell

Fourth Legislative Assembly 1860–1864[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
East Macquarie William Suttor Resigned 6 October 1864 David Buchanan
Kiama Samuel Gray Resigned 29 April 1864 Henry Parkes
Braidwood Merion Moriarty Death 3 February 1864 Henry Milford
Tumut Charles Cowper, Jr. Resigned to oppose Martin in Ministerial by-election 16 November 1863 James Martin
Orange James Martin Ministerial – Premier (defeated) 4 November 1863 Charles Cowper, Jr.
Clarence Clark Irving Absent for entire session without leave 23 July 1863 Clark Irving
East Maitland James Dickson Death 18 June 1863 John Darvall
Central Cumberland James Atkinson Resigned (Ill health) 6 June 1863 Allan Macpherson
Goldfields North James Hoskins Accepted position as overseer of northern roads 7 April 1863 James Buchanan
Liverpool Plains Alexander Dick Resigned 29 January 1863 Marshall Burdekin
West Sydney William Windeyer Resigned (Ill health after being shipwrecked) 8 January 1863 Geoffrey Eagar
Northumberland Thomas Lewis Financial difficulty 23 December 1862 Atkinson Tighe
Argyle Terence Murray Appointed to the Legislative Council (30 October 1862) Samuel Emmanuel
Carcoar William Watt Resigned (16 October 1862) William Dalley
Morpeth David Buchanan Financial difficulty 18 September 1862 Edward Close
Orange John Peisley Resigned 28 June 1862 James Martin
New England George Markham Resigned 2 April 1862 Robert Forster
Wellington Silvanus Daniel Resigned (26 February 1862) Saul Samuel
Shoalhaven John Garrett Resigned (7 January 1862) John Robertson
Tenterfield Robert Meston Resigned 3 December 1861 Hugh Gordon
Yass Plains Henry O'Brien Resigned (Ill health) (15 August 1861) Peter Faucett
Camden John Douglas Resigned to move to Queensland (15 August 1861) David Bell
Hunter Isidore Blake Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the District Court 5 August 1861 John Burns
Lower Hunter Alexander Scott Appointed to the Legislative Council 19 July 1861 Richard Sadleir
Newtown Alexander McArthur Appointed to the Legislative Council 12 July 1861 Thomas Holt
Patrick's Plains William Lesley Resigned (4 July 1861) Joseph Harpur
Goulburn Charles Walsh Resigned as he had achieved his aims of land and Legislative Council reform 13 June 1861 Maurice Alexander
East Sydney Henry Parkes Accepted position as immigration promoter in England 29 May 1861 William Forster
Upper Hunter John Robertson Appointed to the Legislative Council 15 April 1861 Thomas Dangar
Parramatta James Byrnes Resigned (unhappy that he was the second member elected for the seat) 10 April 1861 Arthur Holroyd

Third Legislative Assembly 1859–1860[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Tumut Daniel Deniehy Elected to two seats and previous by-election voided due to voting irregularities (1 November 1860) Charles Cowper, Jr.
Braidwood Frederick Cooper Resigned 10 August 1860 Merion Moriarty
Morpeth Edward Close Resigned 7 August 1860 Samuel Cohen
Wellington Nicolas Hyeronimus Death 26 July 1860 Silvanus Daniel
Wollombi William Cape Resigned 17 May 1860 Joseph Eckford
Tumut George Lang Resigned (political ennui) 10 May 1860 Daniel Deniehy[a]
East Macquarie Thomas Hawkins Resigned 10 May 1860 Daniel Deniehy
St Leonards Edward Sayers Resigned 2 May 1860 James Farnell
Hunter Richard Jones Resigned (23 April 1860) Isidore Blake
Liverpool Plains Andrew Loder Resigned after the defeat of the Foster Government 10 April 1860 Charles Kemp
Windsor William Dalley Prolonged visit to Europe resulting by-election 12 March 1860 William Walker
Williams Stephen Dark Resigned 16 February 1860 Alexander Campbell
Canterbury Edward Flood Resigned 4 February 1860 John Lucas
East Sydney Charles Cowper Was nominated and elected without his consent at previous by-election 20 January 1860 Peter Faucett
West Macquarie John McPhillamy Resigned (21 December 1859) Henry Mort
Mudgee Lyttleton Bayley Resigned after losing ministerial post 19 December 1859 Samuel Terry
East Sydney Charles Cowper Resigned (Ill health) 10 November 1859 Charles Cowper
Illawarra John Hargrave Appointed to Legislative Council 28 October 1859 Samuel Gordon
East Macquarie William Suttor Resigned 6 October 1859 Thomas Hawkins
Yass Plains Thomas Laidlaw Found to have a position of profit under the crown (15 September 1859) Thomas Laidlaw
East Maitland Joseph Chambers Appointed Crown Prosecutor 15 September 1859 James Dickson

Second Legislative Assembly 1858–1859[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
East Camden Robert Owen Accepted an appointment as a Judge of the District Court 21 March 1859 John Hargrave
New England and Macleay Abram Moriarty Resigned (26 November 1858) James Hart
Cumberland (North Riding) Henry Parkes Financial difficulties (13 September 1858) John Plunkett

First Legislative Assembly 1856–1858[]

By-election Incumbent Reason Date Winner
Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa Gordon Sandeman Resigned (19 November 1857) Patrick Leslie
Cumberland (North Riding) John Darvall Resigned 11 December 1857 Thomas Smith
Northumberland Boroughs George Nichols Death (3 November 1857) James Dickson
Cumberland (South Riding) William Manning Resigned 12 June 1857 James Byrnes
Argyle John Plunkett Appointed to the Legislative Council (13 February 1857) Daniel Deniehy
Sydney City Henry Parkes Financial difficulties 29 December 1856 William Dalley
Cumberland (South Riding) Ryan Brenan Result voided by the Elections and Qualifications Committee (4 November 1856) Stuart Donaldson
Sydney Hamlets Stuart Donaldson Ministerial (defeated) 10 October 1856 John Campbell
Cumberland (South Riding) Elias Weekes Elected for two seats 21 August 1856 Ryan Brenan
Northumberland Boroughs Bourn Russell Result overturned by Qualifications Committee (no by-election) (5 August 1856) Elias Weekes
Bathurst County John Plunkett Elected for two seats 19 June 1856 William Suttor
Western Division of Camden James Macarthur Believed poll to be unconstitutional (16 June 1856) James Macarthur

Causes[]

A by-election may occur whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly. Vacancies can occur for reasons including:

  • Death
  • Voluntary resignation for any reason; historically these reasons have included:
    • Retirement
    • Ill-health
    • Family or business commitments
    • Prolonged absence from the state—this occurred most commonly in the period when travel to Europe required a long sea voyage
    • Loss of cabinet position, e.g., the resignation of Reba Meagher in 2008 after she lost the position of Minister for Health
    • Matters of principle, e.g., Billy Dunn resigned from the seat of Mudgee in 1911 after disagreeing with his party's land ownership legislation.
    • Resignation or expulsion from a political party
    • To create a vacancy for a party leader who did not have a seat. This occurred most recently in 1986 when Rockdale MLA Brian Bannon resigned to enable newly elected party leader Barrie Unsworth to transfer from the Legislative Council to the Legislative Assembly.
    • Public disgrace
    • As a result of an inducement from an opposing party and thus create the potential for that party to increase its representation e.g. Independent MLA Alick Kay accepted an appointment to the Metropolitan Meat Board in 1927. Under a controversial use of the Legislative Assembly (Casual Vacancies) Act, he was replaced by Labor's Arthur Tonge; this gave the government of Jack Lang a secure majority in the house.
  • Constitutional ineligibility to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly, including:
    • Election result voided or overturned on appeal—appeals were initially made to the Qualifications Committee of the Assembly but since 1928 they have been determined by the Court of Disputed Returns
    • Election to two seats—in which case the member was required to resign from one seat
    • Appointment or election to the Legislative Council This occurred most commonly prior to 1936, when members of the Council were appointed for life by the Governor
    • Election to another parliament, particularly federal parliament—members are required to resign prior to the issuing of the writs for the other parliament's election
    • Having or accepting a position of profit under the crown
    • Not being a citizen of Australia
    • Non-residence in New South Wales for more than 6 months prior to election
    • Becomes of "unsound mind"
    • Insolvency
    • Conviction for a major criminal offence or, since 2007, having faced trial on a charge of sexual abuse of a minor
    • Absence from the house for an entire session without leave
    • Expulsion from the house for infamous conduct
    • Ministerial appointment Until 1904, members appointed to a ministerial position were required to face a by-election. These were generally uncontested. The political instability of New South Wales in the Nineteenth century caused a very large number of these by-elections and for convenience they have not been listed unless the minister was defeated.

It is now a convention that a by-election is not held if a vacancy occurs within 3–4 months of an expected dissolution of the parliament.

Notes[]

  1. ^ Daniel Deniehy was declared elected at the by-election in May 1860, however he was also elected at the East Macquarie by-election held on the same day and his election to Tumut was subsequently declared void by the Elections and Qualifications Committee.[5] He took his seat as the member for East Macquarie and doesn't appear in the records kept by the Legislative assembly as a member for Tumut.[6][7]

References[]

  1. ^ Green, Antony. "Index of by-elections". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. ^ https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/devastated-locals-leave-notes-flowers-for-gladys-berejiklian-at-willoughby-office-and-home-after-shock-resignation/news-story/44430521b08b1b650ea08af5caaecdd9
  4. ^ Green, Antony. "1921 Sturt by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. ^ Green, Antony. "1860 Tumut by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. ^ Part 5B alphabetical list of all electorates and Members since 1856 (PDF). NSW Parliamentary Record. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Mr Daniel Henry Deniehy (1828-1865)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
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