title: 1974 Goulburn state by-election
text: # 1974 Goulburn state by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Goulburn on 20 July 1974 because Country Party member Ron Brewer resigned to contest the 1974 federal election for Eden-Monaro. Brewer was defeated by 146 votes, and re-contested Goulburn.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 11 April 1974 | The Governor-General of Australia dissolved the Australian Senate and House of Representatives. |
  | 13 April 1974 | Ron Brewer resigned from the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 18 May 1974 | Polling day for the 1974 Australian federal election. |
  | 21 June 1974 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and close of electoral rolls. |
  | 27 June 1974 | Nominations |
  | 20 July 1974 | Polling day |
  | 2 August 1974 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Candidates
  
  * Dermid McDermott, the Labor Party candidate, was the son of the Mayor of Goulburn. This was the only time he would contest a Legistaive Assembly election.
  * Ron Brewer, the Country Party candidate, was the former member recontesting the seat.
  
  ## Results
  
  1974 Goulburn by-election Saturday 20 July :
  
  | Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | | Country | Ron Brewer (re-elected) | 12,600 | 61.9 | -2.1 |
  | | Labor | Dermid McDermott | 7,770 | 38.1 | +7.3 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 20,370 | 99.4 | +1.1 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 133 | 0.6 | -1.1 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,503 | 89.9 | -5.1 |
  | | Country hold | Country hold | Swing | -6.0 | |
  