Flinders by-election, 1982

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Flinders on 4 December 1982. This was triggered by the resignation of the sitting member and former Liberal Party Deputy Leader Sir Phillip Lynch.

The by-election was won by Liberal Party candidate Peter Reith. Parliament was in session until 15 December but Reith chose not to attend to be sworn in at that time. On 3 February 1983, before Parliament could meet following the by-election, the Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser called a double dissolution election for 5 March. Reith lost his seat. He was re-elected at the December 1984 election.

Opponents of the Franklin Dam in Tasmania (which was eventually vetoed by the incoming Hawke Government in 1983) used the Flinders by-election as an informal referendum. 41% of voters wrote "No Dams" on their ballot-papers This had no legal effect but did not invalidate their votes.

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