2022 Bega state by-election

A by-election was held in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Bega in on 12 February 2022. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Liberal MP and frontbencher Andrew Constance, who resigned to unsuccessfully contest the federal seat of Gilmore at the 2022 Australian federal election.[1]

2022 Bega state by-election
12 February 2022
Electoral district of Bega in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Registered58,785
Turnout85.7%
  First party Second party
 
Candidate Michael Holland Fiona Kotvojs
Party Labor Liberal
Popular vote 21,361 19,165
Percentage 43.16% 38.72%
Swing Increase 12.57 Decrease 10.18
2CP 55.06% 44.94%
2CP change Increase 11.99 Decrease 11.99
The Electoral district of Bega in New South Wales
MP before election

Andrew Constance
Liberal

 Elected MP

Michael Holland
Labor

The Bega by-election was held on the same day as by-elections for the districts of Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby. The writs for election were issued on 21 January 2022. Nominations for candidates closed seven days later at noon on 27 January, with the ballot paper draw commencing in the morning of 28 January.[2]

The NSW Electoral Commission pre-emptively sent postal ballots to all voters registered on the state electoral roll, under a regulation in a COVID amendment to the Electoral Act. Postal votes will be checked against in-person voting rolls to prevent double voting. The iVote online voting system was not used at these elections after the system failed during the NSW local government elections in December 2021.[3]

Early results showed a swing of more than 13% towards Labor in the seat, suggesting it would be won by Michael Holland, the first time the seat of Bega would be held by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since it was created in 1988. Holland claimed victory just before 9pm on election night.[4] The Liberals' Fiona Kotvojs conceded nine days later on 21 February.[5]

Candidates
Candidates
(in ballot paper order)[6]
Party Candidate Background Notes
Independent Jeffrey Hawkins
Sustainable Australia Karin Geiselhart
Independent Ursula Bennett
  Labor Michael Holland Obstetrician and gynaecologist [7]
Greens Peter Haggar Cafe owner [7]
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Victor Hazir
  Liberal Fiona Kotvojs Business owner and farmer [7]

Results
2022 Bega state by-election [8][9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labor Michael Holland 21,361 43.16 +12.57
Liberal Fiona Kotvojs 19,165 38.72 −10.18
Greens Peter Haggar 3,453 6.98 –2.78
Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Victor Hazir 2,312 4.67 −1.79
Independent Jeffrey Hawkins 1,379 2.79 +2.79
Sustainable Australia Karin Geiselhart 1,011 2.04 +2.04
Independent Ursula Bennett 811 1.64 +1.64
Total formal votes 49,492 98.25 +1.07
Informal votes 884 1.75 −1.07
Turnout 50,376 85.70 −4.06
Two-party-preferred result
Labor Michael Holland 24,837 55.06 +11.99
Liberal Fiona Kotvojs 20,269 44.94 −11.99
Labor gain from Liberal Swing+11.99

See also

References
  1. "Labor wins seat of Gilmore, no more lower house seats in doubt". ABC News. 31 May 2022.
  2. "Bega State by-election". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  3. Green, Antony (10 February 2022). "Antony Green explains how living with COVID could affect elections, starting tomorrow". ABC News. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  4. Stuart, Riley (12 February 2022). "NSW by-elections a 'huge disappointment' for Liberals as Labor claims Bega and Nationals hold Monaro". ABC News. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  5. Reardon, Adriane; Proust, Keira (21 February 2022). "Liberals candidate Fiona Kotvojs concedes defeat in Bega state by-election". ABC News (Australia). Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  6. "Nominated candidates for the 2022 Bega state by-election". NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  7. "Bega By-election". abc.net.au. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  8. "First Preference Votes Report". Bega State By-Election 12-FEB-2022. NSW Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  9. "Two Candidate Preferred Report Parliamentary Election: Bega". Bega State By-Election 12-FEB-2022. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
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