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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. The ultimate aim is for the candidate finish third, which means their voters' preferences preferences determine the final result.

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. In some cases, Labor has chosen not to contest the seats, such as at the 2024 Pittwater by-election.

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). Labor and the Greens also ran dead in several Victorian-based seats contested by "teals", including Goldstein and Kooyong.

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. Labor leader Bill Shorten denied the claims. 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.

References

  1. "A vote for change at the Wentworth by-election". Australian Greens. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  2. Chan, Gabrielle (28 June 2015). "Sophie Mirabella wins preselection for Indi, but will face Nationals challenge". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  3. ^ Green, Antony (16 September 2004). "What does "running dead" mean?". ABC News. Retrieved 12 October 2004.
  4. Dawkins, Tom (18 March 2015). "Libs can't afford more by-elections". InDaily. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  5. Visentin, Lisa (12 November 2018). "Felicity Wilson wins North Shore preselection by one vote". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  6. Rose, Tamsin; McLeod, Catie (18 October 2024). "Climate 200-backed independent and Liberal party rising star in tight race for Pittwater". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  7. Maddison, Max (18 October 2024). "'Nastiest attack in 30 years': On Sydney's insular peninsula, every kilometre counts". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. Lewis, Alexander; Dole, Nick (20 October 2024). "Independent Jacqui Scruby set to become first teal MP in NSW parliament after snatching Pittwater". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  9. Remeikis, Amy (17 June 2024). "Climate 200 names nine new Coalition seats where it hopes to replicate teal wave at next election". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  10. Wright, Tony (8 May 2022). "Bad vibes: How a new wave has shaken Josh Frydenberg's throne". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  11. Kenny, Mark; Cox, Lisa (2 September 2015). "Is Labor 'running dead' in Canning to protect Tony Abbott?". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  12. Perpitch, Nicolas (2 September 2015). "Canning by-election 'not about me', Prime Minister Tony Abbott says during second campaign visit". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  13. "Labor denies running dead Canning campaign". SBS News. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  14. Grattan, Michelle (4 September 2015). "Abbott on the nose in Canning but Liberals a nose in front". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  15. Ceranic, Irena (14 September 2015). "Abbott supporter Andrew Hastie downplays impact of Turnbull triumph on Canning by-election". ABC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  16. Wahlquist, Calla (19 September 2015). "Canning byelection win vindicates Turnbull's leadership, Liberals say". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
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