1918 Flinders by-election

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Flinders on 11 May 1918. This was triggered by the resignation of Nationalist MP Sir William Irvine to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The Victorian Farmers' Union withdrew their candidate after extracting a promise from the Nationalist government to introduce preferential voting, although his name remained on the ballot paper.[1] The by-election was won by Nationalist candidate and future Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.

Results

Flinders by-election, 1918[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Nationalist	Stanley Bruce	14,445	64.0	+2.8
	Labor	Gordon Holmes	7,740	34.3	-4.5
	Victorian Farmers	John Hall	382	1.7	+1.7
Total formal votes			22,567	99.1
Informal votes			203	0.9
Turnout			22,770	56.6
	Nationalist hold		Swing	+3.7

References

1. "MR. HALL RETIRES". The Argus. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 11 May 1918. p. 16. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
2. "By-Elections 1917-1919". Psephos.