2000 Benalla state by-election

By-election in Victoria, Australia September 2025 2000 Benalla state by-election Victoria parliamentary Primary no 1999 Victorian state election 1999 2000 05 13 y 2002 Victorian state election 2002 89.6% TPP TPP pct percentage TPP swing District of Benalla in the Legislative Assembly 150x150px Denise Allen Victorian Labor Party 12,514 42.07% 0.52 pp 14,991 50.40% 7.81 pp Bill Sykes in 2026 (cropped).jpg 150 120 150 0 10 Bill Sykes Victorian National Party 12,244 41.16% 16.25 pp 14,754 49.60% 7.81 pp Independent (Australia) Geoff Rowe Independent (Australia) 2,072 6.97% Independent (Australia) Bill Hill Independent (Australia) 1,983 6.67% File:Electoral district of Benalla (1991 to 2001).svg Boundaries of the district of Benalla (highlighted in green) at the time of the by-election MP Pat McNamara Victorian National Party Denise Allen Victorian Labor Party The 2000 Benalla state by-election was held on 13 May 2000, to elect a new member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in the district of Benalla. The by-election was triggered by the resignation on 12 April of Pat McNamara, the sitting member who was Deputy Premier of Victoria until the defeat of the Kennett government at the 1999 state election. Contested by Labor candidate Denise Allen and Nationals candidate Bill Sykes, as well as a number of independents and minor party candidates, the election campaign received attention from statewide party leaders, with local issues such as a review of the Delatite Shire and the future of Benalla College's Dunlop campus receiving attention. The by-election was won by Allen, who became the first Labor member to represent Benalla since its creation in 1904. Allen's victory was widely regarded as a political upset, and gave the Labor Party 44 seats in the 88-member Legislative Assembly. The result in Benalla sparked recriminations within the Liberal–National Coalition, with the Nationals voting to leave the Coalition in July 2000 following an internal review. Background Following the defeat of the Kennett government at the 1999 Victorian state election, a vacancy in the district of Benalla was widely expected, given it was held by outgoing Nationals leader and former Deputy Premier Pat McNamara, who had won it in 1999 on a 7.5 percent margin.Webber Nicola Johnston Damon McNamara tipped to quit today Herald Sun 12 April 2000 2 By April 2000, when McNamara's resignation was reported as imminent, the Nationals and Labor had already preselected candidates and opened campaign offices in Benalla.Labor opens office Benalla Ensign 15 March 2000 3Barlow Genevieve Prized seat up for grabs The Weekly Times 12 April 2000 2Hannan Ewin McNamara set to quit state politics today The Age 12 April 2000 4 McNamara ultimately resigned on 12 April 2000, ahead of the Nationals party conference that weekend.Webber Nicola Johnston Damon Big Mac's gone fishin' Herald Sun 13 April 2000 13 In his valedictory speech, McNamara said that he looked forward to spending time with his wife and family, and engaging in non-political endeavours.Victoria Legislative Assembly 924 12 April 2000 Pat McNamara Pat McNamara (Australian politician) Resignation of Member I look forward to spending more time with my wife, Merryl, and my family. I also look forward to doing a number of things outside politics. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/4affe3/globalassets/hansard-historical-documents/weekly/2000/20000411-20000413-hansard-la.pdf 4 January 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260104001229/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/4affe3/globalassets/hansard-historical-documents/weekly/2000/20000411-20000413-hansard-la.pdf 4 January 2026 live The writ for the by-election was issued by Speaker Alex Andrianopoulos on 17 April, with the date set for 13 May and the deadline for nominations being 27 April.Rollins Adrian Party leaders hit Benalla to kick off byelection campaign The Age 18 April 2000 4 After the 1999 Burwood by-election, won by Labor's Bob Stensholt following the resignation of Liberal Jeff Kennett, Labor had 43 seats in the Legislative Assembly, with the Liberal and National parties having 42, and three independents holding the balance of power.Hannan Ewin Bracks vow to reform Parliament The Age 13 December 1999 6Taylor Kerry ALP cuts slice from 'true blue' belt The Age 6 A Labor win in Benalla would give them 44 seats, and while they would still require independent support to pass legislation, their position in the Assembly would be strengthened. Candidates A list of candidates can be found below in ballot paper order:27 April 2000 Seven Candidates Nominate for Benalla District By-Election http://vec.vic.gov.au/thevec/WP_CandidateCount.htm Victorian Electoral Commission dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010223130531/http://vec.vic.gov.au/thevec/WP_CandidateCount.htm 23 February 2001 22 September 2025Notice from Victorian Electoral Commission Benalla by-election Benalla Ensign 10 May 2000 5Notice from Victorian Electoral Commission Benalla by-election Mansfield Courier 10 May 2000 8 Party Candidate Background   Independent Maurie Smith Seymour veteran and investor   Independent Bill Hill Warrenbayne sheep farmer, candidate for this seat in 1996   Reform Alf Thorpe Bendigo mediator, candidate for Bendigo East in 1999Barrow Linda Close vote looms Bendigo Advertiser 18 September 1999 1 In Bendigo East, former Kennett Government minister Michael John will defend his seat against Labor's Jacinta Allan, the Green's Bruce Rivendell and Reform Party candidate Alf Thorpe.   Labor VIC Denise Allen Swanpool small business owner, candidate for this seat in 1999Seven race to be first past the post Herald Sun 14 May 2000 13   Greens VIC Janet Mackenzie Mansfield book editor   Nationals VIC Bill Sykes Benalla veterinarian, former player with Fitzroy Football ClubBenalla by-election Benalla Ensign 3 May 2000 4–5   Independent Geoff Rowe Upper Lurg public accountantCusworth Fran Nats face Benalla acid test Herald Sun 13 May 2000 4 In February 2000, prior to McNamara's resignation, Bill Sykes and John Tanner, two National Party members, expressed their interest in replacing him, with McNamara stating he would not step down until a successor was selected.Rudzki Louise Quest for replacement Mansfield Courier 2 February 2000 3Bechaz Graeme Nats in waiting Benalla Ensign 2 February 2000 1 McNamara was complimentary towards Sykes and Tanner, citing Sykes specifically as a potential future minister.McNamara yet to set date Benalla Ensign 2 February 2000 1 The two candidates for National preselection were Sykes, of Benalla, and Debra Netherway, a Locksley olive farmer.Battle begins for seat Benalla Ensign 23 February 2000 3 It was held on March 4, and Sykes was successful.Bechaz Graeme Sykes stands for Nationals Benalla Ensign 8 March 2000 3Bill Sykes is Nationals' man Mansfield Courier 8 March 2000 3 Denise Allen and Zuvele Leschen, Labor's candidates for Benalla at the 1999 and 1996 state elections respectively, were the two registered candidates for Labor preselection at the by-election.Fisher Amanda Candidates wait in wings Benalla Ensign 2 February 2000 5 The Liberal Party chose not to stand a candidate in the by-election, in a decision supported by party leader Denis Napthine. Ian Carson, president of the Victorian Liberal Party, stated that the decision was made following talks with the Victorian Nationals.Rollins Adrian Liberals opt out of Benalla byelection The Age 13 April 2000 8 Bill Dobson, the president of the Liberal Party's Benalla branch, stated that a Liberal candidate would maximise the conservative vote.Bechaz Graeme Libs hot to trot Benalla Ensign 1 March 2000 1 The Greens candidate was announced as Janet Mackenzie on 25 April.Janet heads Greens bid Mansfield Courier 26 April 2000 6 The Reform Party solicited applications for preselection in local newspapers.Australian Reform Party calls for candidates Mansfield Courier 8 March 2000 3Advertisement by Australian Reform Party Pre-selection for the seat of Benalla Benalla Ensign 22 March 2000 7 Campaign Immediately, the race for Benalla was viewed as potentially competitive. The 1996 and 1999 Victorian state elections had seen swings towards Labor in the traditionally conservative district, which Labor had not won since its creation in 1904.Rollins Adrian Labor eyes on Benalla The Age 13 April 2000 8 The local government elections of March had resulted in losses for Liberal and National aligned councillors in the southern end of the Delatite Shire, replaced by candidates of the Mansfield District Residents and Ratepayers Association (MDRRA), due to local anger surrounding amalgamation of the Mansfield Shire into Delatite by the Kennett government.Strong Geoff Past leaves Nats on shaky ground The Age 15 April 2000 9 Many in the Mansfield area were dissatisfied with the amalgamation, believing that the former Mansfield Shire could stand alone due to a large amount of non-resident ratepayers, and that McNamara had insisted on the council merger. Will Twycross, a councillor from Mansfield, told The Age that "Mansfield's position is that it is a viable local government entity on its own. The amalgamation has been a disaster for us." With the by-election scheduled shortly after the delivery of the state budget, Peter Ryan, leader of the Victorian Nationals, told the Nationals state conference in Bendigo that Labor would likely attempt porkbarrelling tactics to win the seat of Benalla.Rollins Adrian Labor to try and buy Benalla: Nationals The Age 15 April 2000 9 At an 18 April campaign launch for Labor in Benalla, Premier Steve Bracks argued that the Nationals had lost their distinct identity as a regional party, and were functionally identical to the Liberal Party. Denis Napthine, leader of the Victorian Liberals, had appeared in Benalla that same day to endorse Bill Sykes.Rollins Adrian Nationals accused of surrender in Benalla The Age 19 April 2000 Benalla 9 The three independents sitting in the Victorian Parliament at the time — Russell Savage, Susan Davies, and Craig Ingram — also announced that they would urge voters to reject both major party candidacies, with Savage stating that Bill Hill and Geoff Rowe were both possible alternatives to "the path of party politics", while not endorsing either candidate.Rollins Adrian Independents push for Benalla The Age 14 April 2000 4 Davies said on 30 April that the three independents would seek to "work closely" with an elected Benalla independent, while acknowledging differences in opinion.Rollins Adrian Unaligned MPs set sights on Benalla The Age 1 May 2000 4 The future of Benalla College's Dunlop campus, which faced both an attempted closure in 1996 and a funding shortfall, was a local issue in the by-election.Dunlop's future election issue Benalla Ensign 19 April 2000 3 Independent Hill supported the renovation of the Dunlop campus, stating that the campus should also host community education as well as secondary schooling.Bechaz Graeme Candidates cautious Benalla Ensign 26 April 2000 3 Education minister Mary Delahunty announced during the campaign that Benalla College would be provided A$330,000 for urgent upgrades, following her own visit to Dunlop.Urgent repairs Benalla Ensign 3 May 2000 1, 3 A number of candidates voiced their support for MDRRA's proposal for a review of the Shire of Delatite. Ryan and Sykes of the Nationals announced their support in April 2000, though Ryan clarified he did not support de-amalgamation.Dunlop Paul Nationals back review Mansfield Courier 26 April 2000 7 Allen also supported the review plan at a MDRRA meeting, saying she would then support further appropriate outcomes as a result of the review. Independents Hill and Rowe, as well as Greens candidate Janet Mackenzie, also supported a review for Delatite.Labor backs shire review Mansfield Courier 3 May 2000 9 Bob Cameron, the local government minister, announced on 5 May he was in full support of the proposed review.Rudzki Louise Minister supports review Mansfield Courier 10 May 2000 1–2 In regards to whether de-amalgamation should be considered in response to community advocacy, Sykes was in favour of an independent assessment to consider changes. Allen believed that the government should consider new local government boundaries following community consultation. Hill stated he would consult with the community to consider their views on the issue. Rowe emphasised a need for objective decision-making and extensive research into the economic viability of the proposed polities.Question time Benalla Ensign 10 May 2000 9 Mackenzie was a staunch advocate for de-amalgamation, stating that it would be an example of democracy at work, and that the March local elections showed local anger with the amalgamation of Mansfield into Delatite Shire.Voters being ignored: Greens Benalla Ensign 10 May 2000 9 A Labor proposal at the time was to legislate for supervised injection sites in the city of Melbourne, with the aim of controlling heroin addiction. As a result, Nationals advertisements aired arguing that "a vote for Labor is a vote for heroin injecting rooms", although none were proposed in the electorate of Benalla.Barlow Genevieve Benalla poll a test for Bracks The Weekly Times 10 May 2000 20Webber Nicola Drugs issue in poll Herald Sun 10 May 2000 25 Ingram and Savage had indicated they would oppose the supervised injecting proposal, which, assuming Liberal and National opposition, would be enough for it to fail. However, if Labor was successful in the Benalla by-election, they would have 44 out of 88 Legislative Assembly seats, meaning only one non-Labor vote would be required to pass the legislation. This could have resulted in the proposal's success, given independent Susan Davies supported the supervised injecting plan.Johnston Damon Heroin rooms ride on poll Herald Sun 12 May 2000 12 Results On election night and with 75 per cent of the vote counted, Labor candidate Denise Allen held a small lead against the Nationals' Bill Sykes, with preferences yet to be distributed. Neither party immediately declared victory.Rollins Adrian Costa Gabrielle Nationals mauled The Age 14 May 2000 1, 4Dargan Felicity It's neck and neck Herald Sun 14 May 2000 11 However, on the morning of Sunday 14 May, the Nationals conceded defeat, as all votes had been counted and Allen appeared to have secured 50.66 percent of the two-party preferred vote.Hannan Ewin Rollins Adrian Battered Nationals may sever Lib ties The Age 15 May 2000 1–2Cusworth Fran Webber Nicola Body blow from the bush Herald Sun 15 May 2000 5 Final figures can be seen below: 2000 Benalla by-election2000 Report on the Benalla District by-election Victorian Electoral Commission https://vec.vic.gov.au/-/media/27bdc76552b6423cbe6bc81d5e44ba3f.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20250417153421/https://vec.vic.gov.au/-/media/27bdc76552b6423cbe6bc81d5e44ba3f.pdf 17 April 2025 live 5–6 7 September 2025Benalla District 2000 By-Election Results http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/WP_ResultsElectorate_%7B302DF2D5-A7D0-11D4-AA3C-0040AC4C6FCB%7D.htm Victorian Electoral Commission December 2, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20001215133800/http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/WP_ResultsElectorate_%7b302DF2D5-A7D0-11D4-AA3C-0040AC4C6FCB%7d.htm December 15, 2000 dead Labor VIC Denise Allen 12,514 42.07 −0.52 Nationals VIC Bill Sykes 12,244 41.16 −16.25 Independent Geoff Rowe 2,072 6.97 +6.97 Independent Bill Hill 1,983 6.67 +6.67 Greens VIC Janet Mackenzie 597 2.01 +2.01 Independent Maurie Smith 234 0.79 +0.79 Reform Alf Thorpe 101 0.34 +0.34 29,745 97.22 +0.79 849 2.78 –0.79 30,594 89.60 −3.35 Labor VIC Denise Allen 14,991 50.40 +7.81 Nationals VIC Bill Sykes 14,754 49.60 −7.81 Labor VIC Nationals VIC 7.81 Aftermath and reactions While not declaring victory, on election night Premier Steve Bracks labeled the Benalla result a "massive endorsement" of the Labor government, and Denise Allen said that Labor was now the party of country Victoria. Nationals leader Peter Ryan stated that the closeness of the 2000 budget to the by-election's date had assisted Labor. The loss in Benalla marked three consecutive losses for the Liberal and National parties in Victoria following the state election of 1999, after the loss of the 1999 Frankston East supplementary election and the 1999 Burwood state by-election, both lost by the Liberals and the latter following the resignation of Jeff Kennett.Wilson David Last ripple of a shock voter turn Herald Sun 14 May 2000 13 Labor had never won the seat of Benalla before, with the seat having been represented by conservative MPs for its 97 years of existence.Hannan Ewin Rock solid, but then ... The Age 15 May 2000 6 Frank Bessell, a Benalla resident and rank-and-file Labor member since 1950, summarised the electorate's traditional resistance to left-leaning politics by stating that two decades ago, one wearing the Labor membership badge down the streets of Benalla town would have been "called a commo".Adams Geoff Victory after 50 years of waiting Benalla Ensign 24 May 2000 16 Tensions were noted within the Victorian Coalition as a result of Benalla. Peter Ryan promised that the Nationals would conduct a full-scale review of the party, including its coalition agreement with the Liberals, and Nationals state president John Tanner stated that members of the party were in favour of considering a split from the Liberals. Meanwhile, some federal Liberal politicians argued that the Nationals were to blame for the loss. Lou Lieberman, MP for Indi, stated that Pat McNamara should not have caused the by-election by resigning. Sharman Stone, MP for Murray, called for a preservation of the Coalition and emphasised the importance of Liberal candidates running across country Victoria. Fran Bailey, MP for McEwen, said that a Liberal candidate in Benalla would have achieved a better result. Peter McGauran, federal Nationals MP for Gippsland, was critical of McNamara's decision to resign, stating that it played into a perception that the voters of Benalla were being taken for granted.Counting the cost Benalla Ensign 24 May 2000 1 Following a review, a meeting of the Nationals state council and parliamentary caucus voted to withdraw the party from the Coalition on 14 July 2000.Rollins Adrian National Party splits from Libs The Age 15 July 2000 4 Les Twentyman, a youth worker with Open Family, said that the Benalla by-election result signified a mandate for the Bracks Labor government to proceed with legislation for supervised injecting rooms in Melbourne.Hodder Rachael Result backs drug trials Herald Sun 15 May 2000 4 The injecting room proposal still faced opposition in the Legislative Council, and Labor abandoned the proposal in advance of the 2002 Victorian state election.Labor to dump injecting room policy https://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-to-dump-injecting-room-policy-20021012-gduojl.html 7 September 2025 The Age 12 October 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20250907091541/https://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-to-dump-injecting-room-policy-20021012-gduojl.html 7 September 2025 live limited Liberal member and beef breeder Don Lawson noted McNamara's involvement in a failed scheme to combat bovine Johne's disease as having potentially depressed Nationals support in Benalla.Barlow Genevieve Nationals shrug slump The Weekly Times 17 May 2000 18 At the 2002 state election, Sykes was successful in winning Benalla against Allen and Liberal candidate Andrew Dwyer, gaining the seat with 51.97% of the two-party-preferred vote.19 May 2003 Report to Parliament on the 2002 Victorian State election https://vec.vic.gov.au/-/media/ed23702c5dab40338a19978fadc93470.pdf Victorian Electoral Commission 7 September 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250417154557/https://vec.vic.gov.au/-/media/ed23702c5dab40338a19978fadc93470.pdf 17 April 2025 live 66, 75Denise Allen loses Benalla https://www.theage.com.au/national/denise-allen-loses-benalla-20021202-gduv6k.html 7 September 2025 The Age 2 December 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20250907090409/https://www.theage.com.au/national/denise-allen-loses-benalla-20021202-gduv6k.html 7 September 2025 live limited References Category:2000 elections in Australia Category:Victorian state by-elections Category:20th century in Victoria (state) Category:2000 in Victoria (state)