Nominations: Friday, 28 November 1902, Polling: Saturday, 6 December 1902
Candidate
Party
Votes
Votes %
Byers, Hugh
Labor Party
1,006
42.13
Law, Sydney James (Re-elected)
Ind Labor
1,382
57.87
Formal Votes
2,388
Informal Votes
16
0.67
Total Votes / Turnout
2,404
0.00
Cause Category: Resignation - Other
Notes: Sitting Labor MP S.J.Law resigned from the Labor Party and Parliament in the aftermath of a debate on the 'Friedman case'. In a case which did not appear to have any political connections, Friedman had been found guilty by a jury of possessing stolen goods, but the judge made clear in sentencing that he disagreed with the decision. Attorney-General B.R.Wise intervened and had Friedman released leading to a censure motion in Parliament. Law protested when caucus solidarity was invoked in how Labor voted on the censure, leading Law to resign from the Labor Party and Parliament, winning the subsequent by-election as an Independent. (Rydon, Spann and Nelson)
Source: SMH 8 December 1902, p.5 col.7, published declaration by Returning Officer.