1986 Rockdale state by-election

Election result for Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia September 2020 September 2020 A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Rockdale on 2 August 1986. It was triggered by the resignation of sitting Labor MP Brian Bannon. The by-election was won by Labor candidate and Premier Barrie Unsworth. The Rockdale by-election was held the same day as the Bass Hill by-election. Background Barrie Unsworth had become Premier of New South Wales on 4 July 1986, by virtue of succeeding Neville Wran as parliamentary leader of the New South Wales Labor Party. Wran resigned the premiership after more than 10 years in the role. At that time, Unsworth was a member of the Legislative Council, whereas premiers are typically members of the Legislative Assembly. Rockdale MP Brian Bannon resigned his seat on 3 July 1986,1899 Mr Brian Joseph Bannon Yes 3 May 2019 officially to accept a government job as Chairman of the Homebush States Sports Centre Trust, but in reality to create a vacancy for Unsworth to fill. Results Barrie Unsworth's transition from the upper house to the lower house was a very close run thing. Whilst Labor had held Rockdale at all times since the district's re-creation in 1941, it only barely retained the seat at the by-election. Labor suffered a large drop in its vote compared with the 1984 state election. In the end, Unsworth prevailed by only 54 votes after the distribution of preferences. [[1986 Rockdale state by-election|1986 Rockdale by-election]]Saturday 2 August1986 Rockdale by-election 1984 Rockdale_1 31 August 2019 Barrie Unsworth Labor NSW 11,251 46.17 −17.10 Bob Gemmell Liberal NSW 9,896 40.61 +6.53 James McLean Independent 1,720 7.06 +7.06 Valmai Frances Edwards Socialist Workers 725 2.98 +2.98 John Badman Independent 375 1.54 +1.54 Charles Bellchambers Independent 334 1.37 −1.28 Nadar Ponnuswamy Uninflated Movement 67 0.27 +0.27 24,368 96.50 −0.21 885 3.50 +0.21 25,253 79.59 −13.17 Labor NSW Barrie Unsworth 11,946 50.11 −14.5estimate Since the two-party preferred count was not conducted for Rockdale in 1984,Results of the 1984 New South Wales state election (Legislative Assembly) Green 1984 Rockdale|1984 Rockdale 31 August 2019 the two party preferred swing at the by-election cannot be calculated precisely. ABC election analyst Antony Green estimates a two party preferred swing of 14.5% against the Labor Party.Election Background Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2005/guide/background.htm 2021-03-17 www.abc.net.au Liberal NSW Bob Gemmell 11,892 49.89 +14.5estimate Labor NSW −14.5 Labor MP Brian Bannon resigned. See also Electoral results for the district of Rockdale List of New South Wales state by-elections Notes References expanded Category:1986 elections in Australia Category:New South Wales state by-elections Category:1986 in New South Wales Category:August 1986 in Australia