BY GAIL LORD
SYDNEY — After the death of sitting MP Jim Anderson, a by-election for that state seat of Londonderry was held on May 31. In a large field of candidates, the Greens doubled their previous vote in the seat.
Labor's replacement candidate Allan Shearan was elected. Other candidates represented the Greens, Australians Against Further Immigration, One Nation and the Christian Democrats and two independents also stood. While there was no endorsed Liberal candidate, federal Liberal MP Jackie Kelly endorsed independent Boyd Falconer.
While the vote for Labor increased by 2%, the Greens were the big winners, increasing their vote to 7.23% in the highest ever result achieved by the Nepean Greens group. Green candidate Allan Quinn was the youngest candidate for the seat, and campaigned not only on the environment, but also on Medicare and public education.
The future development of the Australian Defence Industry site was a big issue in the election.
From Green Left Weekly, June 11, 2003.
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