There were 8 seats in the 2004 federal election where the primary vote leader was defeated after the full distribution of preferences.
In all 8 seats, the coalition candidate led on primary votes but the seat was won by the ALP after preferences.
| Primary Leads Overturned After Preference Distribution House of Representatives – 2004 |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | State | Division | Incumbent | Leader | Primary % | Successful Candidate | Primary % | Two-Party % |
|
1
|
NSW | Parramatta | Ross Cameron (LP) | Ross Cameron (LP) |
44.09
|
Julie Owens (ALP) |
41.55
|
50.77
|
|
2
|
NSW | Richmond | Larry Anthony (NP) | Larry Anthony (NP) |
45.49
|
Justine Elliot (ALP) |
35.60
|
50.19
|
|
3
|
SA | Adelaide | Trish Worth (LP) | Trish Worth (LP) |
45.29
|
Kate Ellis (ALP) |
41.92
|
51.33
|
|
4
|
SA | Hindmarsh | Christine Gallus (LP) retired |
Simon Birmingham (LP) |
45.88
|
Steve Georganas (ALP) |
42.33
|
50.06
|
|
5
|
VIC | Bendigo | Steve Gibbons (ALP) | Kevin Gibbins (LP) |
45.44
|
Steve Gibbons (ALP) |
43.53
|
50.96
|
|
6
|
VIC | Melbourne Ports | Michael Danby (ALP | David Southwick (LP) |
42.94
|
Michael Danby (ALP) |
39.25
|
53.74
|
|
7
|
WA | Cowan | Graham Edwards (ALP) | Luke Simpkins (LP) |
44.39
|
Graham Edwards (ALP) |
43.87
|
50.78
|
|
8
|
WA | Swan | Kim Wilkie (ALP) | Peter Murfin (LP) |
44.14
|
Kim Wilkie (ALP) |
39.92
|
50.08
|
These statistics show the full force of the preferential voting system. For example, Justine Elliot won Richmond, despite polling only 35.60% of the primary vote, because she gained the majority of second preferences from the minor candidates.
Overall, there were 61 electorates (40.6%) of the 150 where preference distribution was required to obtain a winner in 2004.
