at the 1990 election, the australian democrats, who traditionally polled better in the area covered by mayo than anywhere else in australia, first revealed themselves as a real contender in that seat, polling a primary vote of 21.3 per cent from an increase of 11.7 per cent, coming third by just 2 per cent of the primary vote less than labor. then-democrats leader janine haines chose to contest the neighbouring division of kingston at the 1990 election, obtaining a 26.4 per cent primary vote, but came third well behind the liberals, with sitting labor member gordon bilney retaining the seat. it was speculated at the time that if the high-profile haines had contested mayo instead, she may have been able to defeat downer—presumably by gaining the additional 2 percent the democrats needed to overtake labor for second place, and defeat downer on labor preferences.