2018 Wentworth by-election

{{see also|Electoral results for the Division of Wentworth}}

The Liberal Party of Australia and its predecessors have continuously held Wentworth since the inaugural 1901 election, except for the brief party defections of Walter Marks in 1929 and Peter King in 2004. Wentworth was a stronghold for over 80 years, until the 1984 expansion of parliament and its redistribution saw Wentworth's Liberal margin notionally reduced by 7%, changing Wentworth from a safe Liberal seat with margins usually well in excess of 10%, to a more marginal seat which produced single-digit Liberal margins for the next 25 years. Defeating former Liberal and independent incumbent Peter King, Liberal candidate Malcolm Turnbull first won Wentworth at the 2004 election on a reduced 5.5% Liberal margin, following a 2.4% swing against the national and state trend. At the change-of-government 2007 election a redistribution reduced the Liberal margin to a notional 2.5%, but was retained with an increased Liberal margin of 3.9%, also against the national and state trend. Turnbull replaced Brendan Nelson as Liberal leader at the September 2008 Liberal leadership ballot, however Tony Abbott replaced Turnbull as Liberal leader at the December 2009 Liberal leadership ballot. At the 2010 election, the seat went from being marginal to safe in one stroke with a 14.9% margin from an 11% swing which saw the seat become the ninth-safest Liberal seat in the nation. At the change-of-government 2013 election there was a further increase which saw the seat become the sixth-safest Liberal seat in the nation with a 17.72% Liberal margin. Turnbull replaced Abbott as Liberal leader and prime minister at the September 2015 Liberal leadership ballot. A redistribution in Wentworth increased the Liberal margin to a notional 18.9%, however at the 2016 election, a swing away saw the Liberal margin slightly reduced to 17.75% but became the fifth-safest Liberal seat in the nation.

{{further|2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills}}

The by-election came after Scott Morrison replaced Turnbull as Liberal leader and prime minister on 24 August 2018, following the second of two Liberal leadership ballots held that month, which saw Morrison win the ballot against Peter Dutton with 45 votes to 40 after third-placed Julie Bishop was eliminated and the 11 votes she achieved were re-cast in the final two-candidate run-off. Turnbull won the first Liberal leadership ballot against Dutton, which was held three days before the second ballot, by 48 votes to 35. In the secondary spill, Turnbull did not contest the ballot for leader after losing a motion to spill the leadership by 45 votes to 40. Turnbull had previously indicated that he would leave parliament immediately if his party removed him as Liberal leader and prime minister. On 31 August 2018, one week after the second leadership spill, Turnbull submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.{{cite news |url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/malcolm-turnbull-formally-resigns-forces-byelection-20180831-h14rte? |title=Malcolm Turnbull formally resigns, forces byelection |work=The Australian Financial Review |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831101658/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/malcolm-turnbull-formally-resigns-forces-byelection-20180831-h14rte |url-status=live }}

Turnbull's departure dropped the Liberal-National Coalition in to minority government, with Nationals MP Kevin Hogan having declared he would move to the crossbench in protest immediately following the second spill. Hogan indicated he would remain a Nationals MP and provide confidence and supply support to the Coalition.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/support-continues-for-kevin-hogan-as-he-heads-for-crossbenches/10169212|title=Kevin Hogan goes to the crossbenches, but remains a Nationals MP|date=28 August 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=3 September 2018}} Independent Cathy McGowan has indicated that she will not support a motion of no confidence in the Morrison government before the Wentworth by-election has been decided.{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |last2=Murphy |first2=Katharine |title=Morrison gets a lifeline as Cathy McGowan rules out supporting no confidence motion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/29/morrison-gets-a-lifeline-as-cathy-mcgowan-rules-out-supporting-no-confidence-motion |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=29 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916020705/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/29/morrison-gets-a-lifeline-as-cathy-mcgowan-rules-out-supporting-no-confidence-motion |url-status=live }} Rebekha Sharkie stated that she would review her position after the Wentworth by-election.{{cite news |title=Prime Minister slams 'stupid games' as crossbench MP threatens to revoke support |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/morrison-calls-out-stupid-games-as-sharkie-considers-supply/10262998 |access-date=18 September 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=18 September 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918163047/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/morrison-calls-out-stupid-games-as-sharkie-considers-supply/10262998 |url-status=live }}

The Liberal Party preselected their candidate, Dave Sharma, on 14 September.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-14/wentworth-liberal-pre-selection-won-by-dave-sharma/10244810 |title=Wentworth by-election: Dave Sharma selected as Liberal Party candidate |first1=Nick |last1=Sas |first2=Ashleigh |last2=Raper |date=14 September 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=14 September 2018}} Other candidates for preselection included: Peter King, barrister and Turnbull's predecessor in Wentworth; Mary-Lou Jarvis, Woollahra councillor; Richard Shields, Woollahra councillor; Katherine O'Regan, Sydney East Business Chamber chair; Michael Feneley, cardiologist; Carrington Brigham, digital campaign business director; and Maxine Szramka, rheumatologist.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/wentworth-courier/a-complete-guide-to-all-the-candidates-in-the-wentworth-byelection/news-story/7fe6bbd6f4275648aafd0610f9b86b07|title=A complete guide to all the candidates in the Wentworth byelection |website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=16 September 2018|url-access=subscription }} Christine Forster, City of Sydney councillor and the sister of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, announced her intention to seek preselection but then withdrew. Preselection front-runner Andrew Bragg, former Acting Federal Director of the Liberal Party and current executive at the Business Council of Australia, withdrew from the preselection contest on 10 September, citing his preference for a female Liberal candidate. Prime Minister Scott Morrison reportedly endorsed O'Regan for preselection, while former prime ministers Turnbull and John Howard endorsed Sharma. Following this, Katherine O'Regan called for the Liberal Party's fighting fund for women to be accessible to women seeking pre-selection.{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Paul |title=Failed Liberal candidate for Wentworth preselection calls for funds to help women |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/27/failed-liberal-candidate-for-wentworth-preselection-calls-for-funds-to-help-women |access-date=12 October 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=27 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021212/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/27/failed-liberal-candidate-for-wentworth-preselection-calls-for-funds-to-help-women |url-status=live }}

{{cleanup rewrite|section=yes|reason=section reads like a WP:LAUNDRY list|date=October 2018}}

After his resignation, Turnbull left Australia for New York and did not campaign for the Liberal Party's candidate Sharma in the by-election. This decision was criticised by some in the party who had hoped Turnbull would assist in retaining the one-seat Parliamentary majority.{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reveals-why-he-didnt-campaign-for-dave-sharma/news-story/61c16763f0b45cbab768a3a48236d177 |title=Malcolm Turnbull reveals why he didn't campaign for Dave Sharma |work=www.news.com.au |date=23 Oct 2018 |df=dmy-all |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124236/https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reveals-why-he-didnt-campaign-for-dave-sharma/news-story/61c16763f0b45cbab768a3a48236d177 |url-status=live }} While in New York, Turnbull told an audience: "When you stop being prime minister, that's it. There is no way I'd be hanging around like embittered Kevin Rudd or Tony Abbott. Seriously, these people are like, sort of miserable, miserable ghosts."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/01/malcolm-turnbull-kevin-rudd-tony-abbott-miserable-ghosts |title=Malcolm Turnbull says Rudd and Abbott 'like miserable ghosts' |work=Guardian Australia |date=1 Oct 2018 |df=dmy-all |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021213/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/01/malcolm-turnbull-kevin-rudd-tony-abbott-miserable-ghosts |url-status=live }} At the outset of Liberal preselection, he tweeted support for preselection of candidate Dave Sharma after Morrison had called for a female candidate.{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reaps-revenge-with-preselection-intervention/news-story/fc93cd9d4d10f196668750a9fddf5a48 |title=Turnbull reaps revenge with preselection intervention |work=news.com.au |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123418/https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/malcolm-turnbull-reaps-revenge-with-preselection-intervention/news-story/fc93cd9d4d10f196668750a9fddf5a48 |url-status=live }} On October 18, he liked a tweet favouring Phelps.{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/malcolm-turnbull-mysteriously-likes-tweet-supporting-kerryn-phelps-in-wentworth/news-story/2b5df5d4273d05906a285e7c99ddf1dd |title=Malcolm Turnbull mysteriously likes tweet supporting Kerryn Phelps in Wentworth |work=www.news.com.au |date=Oct 18, 2018 |df=dmy-all |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123256/https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/malcolm-turnbull-mysteriously-likes-tweet-supporting-kerryn-phelps-in-wentworth/news-story/2b5df5d4273d05906a285e7c99ddf1dd |url-status=live }} From New York, Turnbull lobbied his former colleagues to refer his leadership rival Peter Dutton to the High Court over his eligibility to sit in Parliament and tweeting "The point I have made to @ScottMorrisonMP and other colleagues is that given the uncertainty around Peter Dutton's eligibility, acknowledged by the Solicitor General, he should be referred to the High Court, as Barnaby was, to clarify the matter."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/13/malcolm-turnbull-lobbies-pm-to-refer-peter-dutton-to-high-court-over-eligibility |title=Turnbull lobbies PM to refer Peter Dutton to high court over eligibility |work=Guardian Australia |date=13 September 2018 |df=dmy-all |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510062505/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/13/malcolm-turnbull-lobbies-pm-to-refer-peter-dutton-to-high-court-over-eligibility |url-status=live }} In September 2018, it was reported that his son Alex Turnbull was supporting the Labor Party at the by-election.{{cite news |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/09/02/13/47/pm-responds-to-turnbull-labor-campaign |title=PM responds to Turnbull's Labor campaign |website=www.9news.com.au |access-date=3 September 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902122549/https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/09/02/13/47/pm-responds-to-turnbull-labor-campaign |url-status=live }}

When announcing her campaign, Kerryn Phelps urged voters to "put the Liberals last".{{cite news |title=Kerryn Phelps to run as independent in Wentworth and urges voters to put Liberals last |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/16/kerryn-phelps-to-run-as-independent-in-wentworth-and-urges-voters-to-put-liberals-last |work=Guardian Australia |date=16 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021213/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/16/kerryn-phelps-to-run-as-independent-in-wentworth-and-urges-voters-to-put-liberals-last |url-status=live }} She later published how-to-vote cards giving the Liberals a preference above Labor.{{cite news |title=Kerryn Phelps backflips to preference Liberals over Labor in Wentworth byelection |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/21/kerryn-phelps-backflips-to-preference-liberals-over-labor-in-wentworth-byelection |work=Guardian Australia |date=21 September 2018 |language=en |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021237/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/21/kerryn-phelps-backflips-to-preference-liberals-over-labor-in-wentworth-byelection |url-status=live }} Phelps became a prominent candidate in the by-election, with it being suggested that her preferences would be able to get Sharma over the line.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |author-link=Anne Davies (Australian journalist) |title=After a chaotic campaign comes the day of reckoning in Wentworth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/20/wentworth-byelection-after-a-chaotic-campaign-comes-the-day-of-reckoning |access-date=20 October 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=19 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021317/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/20/wentworth-byelection-after-a-chaotic-campaign-comes-the-day-of-reckoning |url-status=live }}

During the 2018 Wentworth by-election, after independent candidate Phelps directed her preferences to the Liberal candidate Sharma, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) adopted the strategy of "running dead". They hoped that their candidate, Tim Murray, would secure third place in the election, and that ALP preferences would then be redirected to Phelps to increase her chances of winning the seat.{{Cite web|url = http://junctionjournalism.com/2019/05/02/fighting-for-wentworths-less-well-heeled/|title = Fighting for Wentworth's less well-heeled|date = 2 May 2019|access-date = 14 September 2021|archive-date = 14 September 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210914090934/http://junctionjournalism.com/2019/05/02/fighting-for-wentworths-less-well-heeled/|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/items/200409/s1200767.htm|title=Australian Federal Election 2004. Ismo, Melbourne, asks what the term running dead means. Antony Green Q&A. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)|access-date=14 September 2021|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912085138/https://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/items/200409/s1200767.htm|url-status=live}}

The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, backed independent candidate Licia Heath, despite having worked with Phelps on the City of Sydney council.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |title=Wentworth byelection: Clover Moore backs Licia Heath in snub to Kerryn Phelps |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/27/wentworth-byelection-clover-moore-backs-licia-heath-in-snub-to-kerryn-phelps |access-date=27 September 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=27 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021217/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/sep/27/wentworth-byelection-clover-moore-backs-licia-heath-in-snub-to-kerryn-phelps |url-status=live }}

On 26 September 2018 Sharma's campaign team was accused by other candidates of removing their campaign posters and replacing them with Sharma's posters.{{cite news |last1=Cockburn |first1=Paige |title=Wentworth candidates accuse Dave Sharma's team of removing campaign posters |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-26/wentworth-by-election-candidates-campaign-posters-removed/10306126 |access-date=26 September 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=26 September 2018 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927151535/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-26/wentworth-by-election-candidates-campaign-posters-removed/10306126 |url-status=live }}

On 7 October, The Sunday Telegraph reported allegations that Katter's Australian Party candidate Robert Callanan was a former director of a company associated with a brothel, leading Callanan to be disendorsed by the party.{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Anne |date=7 October 2018 |title=Wentworth byelection: Liberals attack Kerryn Phelps with 'nasty pamphlets' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/07/wentworth-byelection-liberals-attack-kerryn-phelps-with-nasty-pamphlets |work=Guardian Australia |access-date=7 October 2018 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021218/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/07/wentworth-byelection-liberals-attack-kerryn-phelps-with-nasty-pamphlets |url-status=live }}

On 10 October, part of the Ruddock review into religious freedoms in Australia was leaked.{{cite news |title='He has a blind spot': Bitter MPs won't stay silent for long on religious freedom split |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-10/religious-freedom-ruddock-schools-scott-morrison-christianity/10359612 |access-date=15 October 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=10 October 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021239/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-10/religious-freedom-ruddock-schools-scott-morrison-christianity/10359612 |url-status=live }}

Former Liberal Party leader and former MP for Wentworth John Hewson publicly said the seat is "ripe for protest vote", and urged constituents to vote against the Liberal Party, especially due to its lack of climate change policies.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/06/wentworth-byelection-john-hewson-says-seat-ripe-for-protest-vote|title=Wentworth byelection: John Hewson says seat 'ripe for protest vote'|first=Luke|last=Henriques-Gomes|date=6 October 2018|website=the Guardian|access-date=20 October 2018|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021720/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/06/wentworth-byelection-john-hewson-says-seat-ripe-for-protest-vote|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-liberal-leader-urges-wentworth-voters-to-dump-coalition-over-climate-inaction|title=Former Liberal leader urges Wentworth voters to dump Coalition over climate inaction|author=Butson, Tyron|date=12 October 2018|publisher=SBS News|access-date=20 October 2018|archive-date=19 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019221135/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-liberal-leader-urges-wentworth-voters-to-dump-coalition-over-climate-inaction|url-status=live}}

On 15 October, Scott Morrison announced a review of whether Australia's embassy in Israel should be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Katharine |last2=McGowan |first2=Michael |last3=Davies |first3=Anne |title=Jerusalem embassy move a 'sensible' proposal, says Scott Morrison |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/australia-may-move-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem |access-date=16 October 2018 |work=Guardian Australia |date=15 October 2018 |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714015041/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/australia-may-move-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem |url-status=live }} Morrison also announced funding of $2 million for a surf lifesaving club in the electorate, and $2.2 million for security at Jewish community venues and events.{{cite news |last1=Tingle |first1=Laura |author-link1=Laura Tingle |title=Three messages politicians must hear before they believe their own post-Wentworth spin |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-20/wentworth-by-election:-even-before-the-result-theres-lessons/10398146 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=20 October 2018 |language=en-AU |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020182542/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-20/wentworth-by-election:-even-before-the-result-theres-lessons/10398146 |url-status=live }}

In the last week of the campaign, an email was sent to hundreds of Wentworth constituents which falsely reported that Phelps was withdrawing from the by-election due to being diagnosed with HIV. The email then encouraged the recipient to give their first preference vote to the Liberal candidate Sharma and to remove Phelps' campaign posters. An investigation into the email revealed that it was likely sent from one of 500,000 Dodo and iPrimus email addresses. Sharma and the Liberal Party condemned the email and denied any involvement.{{cite news |title=Wentworth independent targeted by fake email claiming she has HIV and has pulled out of election |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-17/wentworth-by-election-fake-email-claims-kerryn-phelps-has-hiv/10382406 |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=17 October 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021838/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-17/wentworth-by-election-fake-email-claims-kerryn-phelps-has-hiv/10382406 |url-status=live }}

Key dates in relation to the by-election were:{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/wentworth/|title=2018 Wentworth by-election|website=Australian Electoral Commission|access-date=8 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022022409/https://www.aec.gov.au/wentworth/|url-status=live}}

• Monday, 17 September 2018 – Issue of writ
• Monday, 24 September 2018 – Close of electoral rolls (8pm)
• Thursday, 27 September 2018 – Close of nominations (12 noon)
• Friday, 28 September 2018 – Declaration of nominations (12 noon)
• Tuesday, 2 October 2018 – Start of early voting
• Saturday, 20 October 2018 – Polling day (8am to 6pm)
• Friday, 2 November 2018 – Last day for receipt of postal votes
• Wednesday, 26 December 2018 – Last day for return of writs

{{Clear}}

The first public opinion poll of the by-election, conducted by ReachTEL during the evening of Monday 27 August 2018, produced a tied 50-50 two-party-preferred result between Liberal and Labor, which represented a massive 17.7% swing from Liberal to Labor since the previous election. Election analyst Antony Green partially attributed the size of the swing to the loss of Turnbull's significant personal vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-29/malcolm-turnbulls-personal-popularity-looms-large-in-wentworth/10174242|title='They have lost my vote': Why Wentworth by-election could be closer than you think|date=29 August 2018|website=ABC News|location=Australia|access-date=3 September 2018|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021724/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-29/malcolm-turnbulls-personal-popularity-looms-large-in-wentworth/10174242|url-status=live}} On 16 October, it was reported that the Liberal party's internal polling showed data that represented a 55% Phelps to 45% Sharma two-candidate-preferred vote result.{{cite news |title=Kerryn Phelps to trounce Liberals in Wentworth, party polling shows |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/kerryn-phelps-to-trounce-liberals-in-wentworth-party-polling-shows/news-story/04a7ff7057c9172fd99d055294a37696 |website=The Australian|url-access=subscription }}

{{further|Electoral results for the Division of Wentworth}}

{{Election box begin

|title=2018 Wentworth by-election{{hsp}}{{cite web |title=Wentworth, NSW |url=https://results.aec.gov.au/22844/Website/HouseDivisionPage-22844-152.htm |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=7 November 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305171605/https://results.aec.gov.au/22844/Website/HouseDivisionPage-22844-152.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wentworth-by-election-2018/results/ |work=ABC News |location=Australia |author=Green, Antony |author-link=Antony Green |access-date=21 October 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020194130/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wentworth-by-election-2018/results/ |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Dave Sharma

|party = Liberal

|votes = 32,795

|percentage = 43.08

|change = −19.18

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Kerryn Phelps

|party = Independent

|votes = 22,219

|percentage = 29.19

|change = +29.19

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Tim Murray

|party = Labor

|votes = 8,777

|percentage = 11.53

|change = −6.20

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Dominic Wy Kanak

|party = Greens

|votes = 6,543

|percentage = 8.59

|change = −6.27

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Licia Heath

|party = Independent

|votes = 1,721

|percentage = 2.26

|change = +2.26

}}

|-

| {{Australian party style|small business nsw|width:1px}} |  

| style="text-align:left;"| Small Business

| style="text-align:left;"| Angela Vithoulkas

| style="text-align:right;"| 822

| style="text-align:right;"| 1.08

| style="text-align:right;"| +1.08

|-

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Andrea Leong

|party = Science Party

|votes = 516

|percentage = 0.68

|change = −0.49

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Shayne Higson

|party = Voluntary Euthanasia

|votes = 493

|percentage = 0.65

|change = +0.65

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Deb Doyle

|party = Animal Justice

|votes = 421

|percentage = 0.55

|change = +0.55

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Kay Dunne

|party = Sustainable Australia

|votes = 413

|percentage = 0.54

|change = +0.54

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Robert Callanan {{small|(disendorsed)}}

|party = Katter's Australian Party

|votes = 381

|percentage = 0.50

|change = +0.50

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Samuel Gunning

|party = Liberal Democrats

|votes = 351

|percentage = 0.46

|change = +0.46

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Barry Keldoulis

|party = Arts Party

|votes = 305

|percentage = 0.40

|change = −1.36

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Tony Robinson

|party = Liberty Alliance

|votes = 154

|percentage = 0.20

|change = +0.20

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Ben Forsyth

|party = Derryn Hinch's Justice Party

|votes = 133

|percentage = 0.17

|change = +0.17

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Steven Georgantis

|party = People's Party

|votes = 82

|percentage = 0.11

|change = +0.11

}}

{{Election box formal

|votes = 76,126

|percentage = 93.92

|change = −0.95

}}

{{Election box informal

|votes = 4,928

|percentage = 6.08

|change = +0.95

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 81,054

|percentage = 78.13

|change = −8.11

}}

{{Election box n2pp}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Dave Sharma

|party = Liberal

|votes = 46,244

|percentage = 60.75

|change = –7.00

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Tim Murray

|party = Labor

|votes = 29,882

|percentage = 39.25

|change = +7.00

}}

{{Election box 2cp}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Kerryn Phelps

|party = Independent

|votes = 38,988

|percentage = 51.22

|change = +51.22

}}

{{Election box candidate AU party

|candidate = Dave Sharma

|party = Liberal

|votes = 37,138

|percentage = 48.78

|change = −18.96

}}

{{Election box gain AU party|

|winner = Independent

|loser = Liberal

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

At 7:18pm AEDT, just over an hour after the close of polls,{{cite news |url=https://www.pollbludger.net/2018/10/20/wentworth-election-live/ |title=Wentworth by-election live |publisher=The Poll Bludger |author=Bowe, William |access-date=21 October 2018 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020224013/https://www.pollbludger.net/2018/10/20/wentworth-election-live/ |url-status=live }} the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's psephologist Antony Green predicted independent candidate Kerryn Phelps to win the by-election, although the margin of victory for Phelps tightened as pre-poll and postal votes were counted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/21/wentworth-byelection-why-kerryn-phelpss-lead-over-dave-sharma-has-shrunk|title=Wentworth byelection: why Kerryn Phelps's lead over Dave Sharma shrank|last=Raue|first=Ben|date=21 October 2018|website=Guardian Australia|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021725/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/21/wentworth-byelection-why-kerryn-phelpss-lead-over-dave-sharma-has-shrunk|url-status=live}}

{{STV Election box begin2

|title = 2018 Wentworth by-election{{hsp}}

|numcounts = 15

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Dave Sharma

|party = Liberal Party of Australia

|percentage = 43.08

|count1 = 32,795

|count2 = 32,800

|count3 = 32,825

|count4 = 32,874

|count5 = 32,895

|count6 = 33,057

|count7 = 33,099

|count8 = 33,211

|count9 = 33,262

|count10 = 33,329

|count11 = 33,484

|count12 = 33,780

|count13 = 34,082

|count14 = 34,759

|count15 = 37,138

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Kerryn Phelps

|party = Independent

|percentage = 29.19

|count1 = 22,219

|count2 = 22,225

|count3 = 22,244

|count4 = 22,250

|count5 = 22,306

|count6 = 22,331

|count7 = 22,438

|count8 = 22,457

|count9 = 22,520

|count10 = 22,650

|count11 = 22,837

|count12 = 23,084

|count13 = 24,114

|count14 = 27,687

|count15 = 38,988

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Tim Murray

|party = Australian Labor Party

|percentage = 11.53

|count1 = 8,777

|count2 = 8,786

|count3 = 8,805

|count4 = 8,811

|count5 = 8,846

|count6 = 8,875

|count7 = 8,902

|count8 = 8,941

|count9 = 8,981

|count10 = 9,047

|count11 = 9,142

|count12 = 9,263

|count13 = 9,605

|count14 = 13,680

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Dominic Wy Kanak

|party = Australian Greens

|percentage = 8.59

|count1 = 6,543

|count2 = 6,552

|count3 = 6,559

|count4 = 6,561

|count5 = 6,631

|count6 = 6,654

|count7 = 6,747

|count8 = 6,935

|count9 = 7,090

|count10 = 7,262

|count11 = 7,469

|count12 = 7,606

|count13 = 8,325

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Licia Heath

|party = Independent

|percentage = 2.26

|count1 = 1,721

|count2 = 1,723

|count3 = 1,729

|count4 = 1,729

|count5 = 1,765

|count6 = 1,780

|count7 = 1,807

|count8 = 1,828

|count9 = 1,864

|count10 = 1,996

|count11 = 2,093

|count12 = 2,393

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Angela Vithoulkas

|party = Independent

|percentage = 1.08

|count1 = 822

|count2 = 834

|count3 = 840

|count4 = 848

|count5 = 861

|count6 = 896

|count7 = 912

|count8 = 947

|count9 = 974

|count10 = 1,009

|count11 = 1,101

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Andrea Leong

|party = Science Party

|percentage = 0.68

|count1 = 516

|count2 = 521

|count3 = 527

|count4 = 530

|count5 = 544

|count6 = 561

|count7 = 610

|count8 = 626

|count9 = 717

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Shayne Higson

|party = Voluntary Euthanasia Party

|percentage = 0.65

|count1 = 493

|count2 = 502

|count3 = 508

|count4 = 513

|count5 = 527

|count6 = 565

|count7 = 594

|count8 = 648

|count9 = 718

|count10 = 833

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Deb Doyle

|party = Animal Justice Party

|percentage = 0.55

|count1 = 421

|count2 = 424

|count3 = 430

|count4 = 432

|count5 = 452

|count6 = 461

|count7 = 512

|count8 = 533

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Kay Dunne

|party = Sustainable Australia

|percentage = 0.54

|count1 = 413

|count2 = 416

|count3 = 420

|count4 = 430

|count5 = 452

|count6 = 460

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Robert Callanan

|party = Katter's Australian Party

|percentage = 0.50

|count1 = 381

|count2 = 388

|count3 = 394

|count4 = 447

|count5 = 451

|count6 = 486

|count7 = 505

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Samuel Gunning

|party = Liberal Democratic Party

|percentage = 0.46

|count1 = 351

|count2 = 355

|count3 = 368

|count4 = 394

|count5 = 396

|count6 =  

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Barry Keldoulis

|party = Arts Party

|percentage = 0.40

|count1 = 305

|count2 = 306

|count3 = 307

|count4 = 307

|count5 =  

|count6 =  

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Tony Robinson

|party = Australian Liberty Alliance

|percentage = 0.20

|count1 = 154

|count2 = 157

|count3 = 170

|count4 =  

|count5 =  

|count6 =  

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Ben Forsyth

|party = Derryn Hinch's Justice Party

|percentage = 0.17

|count1 = 133

|count2 = 137

|count3 =  

|count4 =  

|count5 =  

|count6 =  

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box candidate2

|candidate = Steven Georgantis

|party = Australian People's Party

|percentage = 0.11

|count1 = 82

|count2 =  

|count3 =  

|count4 =  

|count5 =  

|count6 =  

|count7 =  

|count8 =  

|count9 =  

|count10 =  

|count11 =  

|count12 =  

|count13 =  

|count14 =  

|count15 =  

}}

{{STV Election box end2

|numcounts = 15

|electorate = 103,747

|valid = 76,126 (93.92%)

|spoilt = 4,928 (6.08%)

|quota = 38,064 (50%+1)

|turnout = 81,054 (78.13%)

}}

It is the first time since the inaugural 1901 election that the seat has not been represented by the Liberals, its predecessors, or party defectors. The outcome saw the Liberal–National Coalition slip further into minority government, holding only 74 seats out of 150 in the House of Representatives,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/oct/20/wentworth-by-election-live-results-liberal-dave-sharma-kerryn-phelps-exit-poll-latest-news-updates|title=Kerryn Phelps claims Wentworth byelection win for 'the people of Australia who need a voice' – live updates|first1=Gabrielle|last1=Chan|first2=Katharine|last2=Murphy|date=20 October 2018|work=Guardian Australia|access-date=20 October 2018|archive-date=16 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916021409/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2018/oct/20/wentworth-by-election-live-results-liberal-dave-sharma-kerryn-phelps-exit-poll-latest-news-updates|url-status=live}} having lost majority government two months earlier when Nationals MP Kevin Hogan moved to the crossbench while continuing his confidence and supply support.

The by-election is credited with highlighting the health concerns for refugee children detained in Nauru to the Morrison government's attention, and subsequently transporting some of them to Australia for medical treatment.{{cite news |title=How changing the Liberal leadership inadvertently changed the asylum-seeker debate |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-01/children-nauru-scott-morrison-malcolm-turnbull/10455444 |access-date=2 November 2018 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=1 November 2018 |language=en-AU |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916022325/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-01/children-nauru-scott-morrison-malcolm-turnbull/10455444 |url-status=live }}

As of 2024, This was the most recent time the Katter's Australian Party fielded a candidate outside of Queensland.

• Electoral results for the Division of Wentworth
• 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills
• List of Australian federal by-elections

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/supplementary_by_elections/2018/wentworth.htm 2018 Wentworth by-election website: Australian Electoral Commission]
• [http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wentworth-by-election-2018/ 2018 Wentworth by-election guide: Antony Green ABC]
• [https://www.pollbludger.net/by-elections/fed-2018-10-wentworth.htm 2018 Wentworth by-election guide: The Poll Bludger]
• [http://www.tallyroom.com.au/wentworthby2018 2018 Wentworth by-election guide: The Tally Room]

{{Aus by-elections 45th parl}}

{{2018 in Australia}}

Category:2018 elections in Australia

Category:New South Wales federal by-elections

Category:October 2018 in Australia