1939 Wilmot by-election

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Wilmot on 27 May 1939. This was triggered by the death of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, a member of the United Australia Party.

1939 Wilmot by-election

27 May 1939

First party Second party   Candidate Lancelot Spurr Allan Guy Party Labor United Australia First preference vote 6,568 6,673 Percentage 29.3% 29.7% Swing 3.6pp TCP 50.1% 49.8% TCP swing 5.3pp 5.3pp   Third party Fourth party   ALP UAP Candidate Maurice Weston Donald Cameron Party Labor United Australia First preference vote 3,925 2,657 Percentage 17.5% 11.8% Swing 17.5pp 11.8pp

MP before election Joseph Lyons United Australia Elected MP Kevin Newman Labor

The by-election was won by Labor candidate Lancelot Spurr.

Results

1939 Wilmot by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	United Australia	Allan Guy	6,673	29.7	-3.6
	Labor	Lancelot Spurr	6,568	29.3	+0.0
	Labor	Maurice Weston	3,925	17.5	+17.5
	United Australia	Donald Cameron	2,657	11.8	+11.8
	United Australia	Cecil Parsons	1,823	8.1	+8.1
	Independent	John Watson	799	3.6	+3.6
Total formal votes			22,445	96.1
Informal votes			915	3.9
Turnout			23,360	92.4
Two-party-preferred result
	Labor	Lancelot Spurr	11,257	50.2	+5.3
	United Australia	Allan Guy	11,188	49.8	-5.3
	Labor gain from United Australia		Swing	+5.3