1970 Australian Capital Territory by-election

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Australian Capital Territory on 30 May 1970. This was triggered by the death of Labor MP Jim Fraser.

1970 Australian Capital Territory by-election

30 May 1970

First party Second party   Candidate Kep Enderby Clarrie Hermes Party Labor Liberal Popular vote 20,132 15,900 Percentage 35.6% 28.1% Swing 32.1pp 1.2pp TPP 57.8% 42.2% TPP swing 13.4pp 13.4pp   Third party Fourth party   AUS IND Candidate Alan Fitzgerald Jim Pead Party Australia Independent Popular vote 9,914 8,151 Percentage 17.5% 14.4% Swing 12.9pp 14.4pp

MP before election Jim Fraser Labor Elected MP Kep Enderby Labor

The by-election was won by Labor candidate Kep Enderby. It was also notable for recording the highest vote ever received in a federal electorate by an Australia Party candidate.

Ted Cawthron from the National Socialist Party of Australia was the first National Socialist in Australia to run for public office.

Results

Australian Capital Territory by-election, 1970

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labor	Kep Enderby	20,132	35.6	−32.1
	Liberal	Clarrie Hermes	15,900	28.1	+1.2
	Australia	Alan Fitzgerald	9,914	17.5	+12.9
	Independent	Jim Pead	8,151	14.4	+14.4
	Democratic Labor	Terence Christie	1,857	3.3	+3.3
	Independent	Charles Bellchambers	438	0.8	+0.8
	National Socialist	Ted Cawthron	173	0.3	+0.3
Total formal votes			56,565	96.9
Informal votes			1,813	3.1
Turnout			58,378	90.5
Two-party-preferred result
	Labor	Kep Enderby	32,690	57.8	−13.4
	Liberal	Clarrie Hermes	23,875	42.2	+13.4
	Labor hold		Swing	−13.4