May 1872 East Sydney colonial by-election explained

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of East Sydney on 22 May 1872 because Henry Parkes had been appointed Premier and Colonial Secretary, forming the first Parkes ministry.^[1] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested however on this occasion a poll was required in East Sydney and Newcastle (George Lloyd), while the five other ministers, Edward Butler (Argyle), James Farnell (Parramatta), Joseph Innes (Mudgee), William Piddington (The Hawkesbury) and John Sutherland (Paddington), were re-elected unopposed.^[2]

James Jones had been an unsuccessful candidate for Central Cumberland at the 1868 by-election,^[3] and the 1869 election.^[4]

Dates

Date	Event
14 May 1872	First Parkes ministry appointed.^[5]
15 May 1872	Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.^[6]
20 May 1872	Nominations
22 May 1872	Polling day
11 June 1872	Return of writ

Result

Henry Parkes was appointed Premier and Colonial Secretary, forming the first Parkes ministry.

See also

• Electoral results for the district of East Sydney
• List of New South Wales state by-elections

Notes and References

1. Sir Henry Parkes (1815–1896) . 426 . Yes . 5 April 2019.
2. Index of by-elections . ElectionIndexes . ByElectionIndex . 9 November 2019.
3. 1868 Central Cumberland by-election . 1864-5 . Central Cumberland . 7 September 2020.
4. 1869-70 . Central Cumberland . 7 September 2020.
5. News: Appointment of ministers . . 133 . New South Wales, Australia . 14 May 1872 . 7 September 2020 . 1259 . Trove.
6. News: Writ of election: East Sydney . . 136 . 15 May 1872 . 7 September 2020 . 1267 . Trove.