A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Sturt on 13 January 1917 following the resignation of John Cann who resigned to take the position of assistant commissioner of the New South Wales Government Railways.[1] Cann had been elected as a candidate at the 1913 election,[2] however he was expelled from the party for voting against Labor's censure motion on 10 November 1916.
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 November 1916 | John Cann voted against Labor's censure motion.[3] | |
| 11 November 1916 | The Barrier District branch of Labor passed a vote of no confidence in John Cann because of his attitude on conscription.[4] | |
| 13 November 1916 | The Labor executive expelled John Cann from Labor.[5] | |
| 20 December 1916 | John Cann resigned. | |
| 29 December 1916 | John Cann appointed an assistant railway commissioner.[6] | |
| 3 January 1917 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and close of electoral rolls.[7] | |
| 13 January 1917 | Nominations | |
| 3 February 1917 | Polling day | |
| 20 February 1917 | Return of writ |