title: 1978 Earlwood state by-election
text: # 1978 Earlwood state by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Earlwood on 15 July 1978 because of the resignation of Sir Eric Willis (Liberal) the former Premier of New South Wales.
  
  ## Result
  
  1978 Earlwood by-election Saturday 15 July :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Labor | Ken Gabb | 15,168 | 52.62 | +7.17 |
  | | Liberal | Alan Jones | 12,118 | 42.04 | -12.51 |
  | | Democrats | Kerry Warr | 1,053 | 3.65 | |
  | | Independent | Neville Fleming | 269 | 0.93 | |
  | | Gay Liberation | Peter Blazey | 105 | 0.36 | |
  | | Independent | Charles Bingle | 52 | 0.18 | |
  | | Conservative | Josephine Mallett | 33 | 0.11 | |
  | | Independent | Edwin Bellchambers | 27 | 0.09 | |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 28,825 | 97.38 | -1.14 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 775 | 2.62 | +1.14 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,600 | 88.24 | -7.02 |
  | | Labor gain from Liberal | Labor gain from Liberal | Swing | +7.17 | |
  