1982 Mitcham state by-election

A by-election was held for the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Mitcham on 8 May 1982.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former state Democrats MHA Robin Millhouse. The Liberal Party was expected to win the seat, but Democrats candidate Heather Southcott was heavily favoured by Labor party preferences, and was a surprise winner.[citation needed]

The Liberals won the seat six months later at the 1982 state election.

Results

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The Australia Party, who contested the previous election and gained 0.3 percent, did not contest the by-election. The Democrats retained the seat by 45 votes.

1982 Mitcham state by-election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Worth 6,461 45.9 +8.6
Democrats Heather Southcott 3,653 25.9 −19.2
Labor John Hill 3,367 23.9 +6.6
National Ross Osmond 543 3.8 +3.8
Libertarian Victor Kirby 66 0.5 +0.5
Total formal votes 14,190 98.0 −0.1
Informal votes 286 2.0 +0.1
Turnout 14,376 85.5 −8.0
Two-candidate-preferred result
Democrats Heather Southcott 7,090 50.3 −4.4
Liberal Robert Worth 7,000 49.7 +4.4
Democrats hold Swing N/A

See also

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References

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  1. ^ History of South Australian Elections 1857 - 2006 Volume 1: ECSA, Dean Jaensch, ISBN 978-0-9750486-3-4