running dead
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In Australian politics, running dead refers to a political party contesting an election and appearing on the ballot paper in a specific seat, but the candidate and the party not actively campaigning.{{cite web |title=A vote for change at the Wentworth by-election |url=https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/vote-change-wentworth-election |publisher=Australian Greens |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224095236/https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/vote-change-wentworth-election |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=19 October 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Gabrielle |title=Sophie Mirabella wins preselection for Indi, but will face Nationals challenge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/28/sophie-mirabella-wins-preselection-for-indi-but-will-face-nationals-challenge |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009023501/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/28/sophie-mirabella-wins-preselection-for-indi-but-will-face-nationals-challenge |archive-date=9 October 2022 |date=28 June 2015}} The ultimate aim is for the candidate finish third, which means their voters' preferences will likely determine the final result.{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Antony |title=What does "running dead" mean? |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012024223/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/items/200409/s1200767.htm |publisher=ABC News |access-date=12 October 2004 |date=16 September 2004}}{{cite web |last1=Dawkins |first1=Tom |title=Libs can't afford more by-elections |url=https://www.indaily.com.au/opinion/2015/03/18/libs-cant-afford-elections |publisher=InDaily |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408012244/http://indaily.com.au/opinion/2015/03/18/libs-cant-afford-elections/ |archive-date=8 April 2016 |date=18 March 2015}}
History
=Labor in Northern Sydney=
In Northern Sydney, the Labor Party often runs dead as the region has historically been considered dominant for the Liberal Party. This includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seats of Davidson, Ku-ring-gai, North Shore and Pittwater, which (as single-member seats) have never been held by Labor.{{cite web |last1=Visentin |first1=Lisa |title=Felicity Wilson wins North Shore preselection by one vote |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/felicity-wilson-wins-north-shore-preselection-by-one-vote-20181112-p50flw.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514160103/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/felicity-wilson-wins-north-shore-preselection-by-one-vote-20181112-p50flw.html |archive-date=14 May 2024 |date=12 November 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Tamsin |last2=McLeod |first2=Catie |title=Climate 200-backed independent and Liberal party rising star in tight race for Pittwater |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/18/climate-200-backed-independent-liberal-party-rising-star-tight-race-pittwater-ntwnfb |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224094333/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/18/climate-200-backed-independent-liberal-party-rising-star-tight-race-pittwater-ntwnfb |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=18 October 2024}} In some cases, Labor has chosen not to contest the seats, such as at the 2024 Pittwater by-election.{{cite web |last1=Maddison |first1=Max |title='Nastiest attack in 30 years': On Sydney’s insular peninsula, every kilometre counts |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nastiest-attack-in-30-years-on-sydney-s-insular-peninsula-every-kilometre-counts-20241017-p5kj2x.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224094820/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nastiest-attack-in-30-years-on-sydney-s-insular-peninsula-every-kilometre-counts-20241017-p5kj2x.html |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=18 October 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Alexander |last2=Dole |first2=Nick |title=Independent Jacqui Scruby set to become first teal MP in NSW parliament after snatching Pittwater |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-20/jacqui-scruby-to-become-the-first-teal-mp-in-nsw-parliament/104493630 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224094628/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-20/jacqui-scruby-to-become-the-first-teal-mp-in-nsw-parliament/104493630 |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=20 October 2024}}
At the 2022 federal election, teal independent candidates contested various North Sydney-based federal electorates, with Labor running dead to ensure that the independent candidate came second (and in many cases, ultimately won the seat).{{cite web |last1=Remeikis |first1=Amy |title=Climate 200 names nine new Coalition seats where it hopes to replicate teal wave at next election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jun/17/climate-200-names-nine-new-coalition-seats-where-it-hopes-to-replicate-teal-wave-at-next-election |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802012907/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jun/17/climate-200-names-nine-new-coalition-seats-where-it-hopes-to-replicate-teal-wave-at-next-election |archive-date=2 August 2024 |date=17 June 2024}} Labor and the Greens also ran dead in several Victorian-based seats contested by "teals", including Goldstein and Kooyong.{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Tony |title=Bad vibes: How a new wave has shaken Josh Frydenberg’s throne |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bad-vibes-how-a-new-wave-has-shaken-josh-frydenberg-s-throne-20220506-p5aj3x.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211171452/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bad-vibes-how-a-new-wave-has-shaken-josh-frydenberg-s-throne-20220506-p5aj3x.html |archive-date=11 December 2023 |date=8 May 2022}}
=2015 Canning by-election=
At the 2015 Canning by-election, Labor was accused of running dead in the Liberal-held seat as part of an effort to keep Tony Abbott as prime minister (if the Liberals retained the seat), based on the view that they would rather face Abbott at the next federal election rather than a different Liberal leader.{{cite web |last1=Kenny |first1=Mark |last2=Cox |first2=Lisa |title=Is Labor 'running dead' in Canning to protect Tony Abbott? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/is-labor-running-dead-in-canning-to-protect-tony-abbott-20150902-gjd1m5.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811220238/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/is-labor-running-dead-in-canning-to-protect-tony-abbott-20150902-gjd1m5.html |archive-date=11 August 2022 |date=2 September 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Perpitch |first1=Nicolas |title=Canning by-election 'not about me', Prime Minister Tony Abbott says during second campaign visit |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-02/canning-by-election-not-about-me-tony-abbott-says/6742796 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718095852/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-02/canning-by-election-not-about-me-tony-abbott-says/6742796 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |date=2 September 2015}} Labor leader Bill Shorten denied the claims.{{cite web |title=Labor denies running dead Canning campaign |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/labor-denies-running-dead-canning-campaign/8s5552poh |publisher=SBS News |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224100641/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/labor-denies-running-dead-canning-campaign/8s5552poh |archive-date=24 December 2024 |date=3 September 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=Abbott on the nose in Canning but Liberals a nose in front |url=https://theconversation.com/abbott-on-the-nose-in-canning-but-liberals-a-nose-in-front-47106 |publisher=The Conversation |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108120646/https://theconversation.com/abbott-on-the-nose-in-canning-but-liberals-a-nose-in-front-47106 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |date=4 September 2015}} Abbott would ultimately be spilled as leader by Malcolm Turnbull on 14 September 2015, and at the by-election held just four days later on 19 September, the Liberals retained the seat with a 6.55% negative two-party-preferred swing.{{cite web |last1=Ceranic |first1=Irena |title=Abbott supporter Andrew Hastie downplays impact of Turnbull triumph on Canning by-election |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/canning-by-election-candidate-andrew-hastie-on-liberal-spill/6775444 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818110949/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/canning-by-election-candidate-andrew-hastie-on-liberal-spill/6775444 |archive-date=18 August 2018 |date=14 September 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Wahlquist |first1=Calla |title=Canning byelection win vindicates Turnbull's leadership, Liberals say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/19/canning-byelection-win-vindicates-turnbulls-leadership-liberals-say |publisher=The Guardian |access-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531035420/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/19/canning-byelection-win-vindicates-turnbulls-leadership-liberals-say |archive-date=31 May 2023 |date=19 September 2015}}