Electoral results for the Division of Hunter
# Electoral results for the Division of Hunter

This is a list of electoral results for the Division of Hunter in Australian federal elections from the division's creation in 1901 until the present.

## Members

| Member | Party | Term |
| - | - | - |
| (Sir) Edmund Barton | Protectionist | 1901–1903 |
| Frank Liddell | Free Trade | 1903–1910 |
| Matthew Charlton | Labor | 1910–1928 |
| Rowley James | Labor | 1928–1931 |
| Rowley James | Labor (NSW) | 1931–1936 |
| Rowley James | Labor | 1936–1958 |
| H.V. Evatt | Labor | 1958–1960 |
| Bert James | Labor | 1960–1980 |
| Bob Brown | Labor | 1980–1984 |
| Eric Fitzgibbon | Labor | 1984–1996 |
| Joel Fitzgibbon | Labor | 1996–2022 |
| Dan Repacholi | Labor | 2022–present |

## Election results

### Elections in the 2020s

**2022**

2022 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Dan Repacholi | 41,514 | 38.54 | +0.97 |
| | National | James Thomson | 29,540 | 27.42 | +3.95 |
| | One Nation | Dale McNamara | 10,759 | 9.99 | −11.60 |
| | Greens | Janet Murray | 9,562 | 8.88 | +2.01 |
| | Independent | Stuart Bonds | 6,126 | 5.69 | +5.69 |
| | United Australia | Geoff Passfield | 4,370 | 4.06 | −0.26 |
| | Animal Justice | Victoria Davies | 2,469 | 2.29 | −0.91 |
| | Independent | Scott Laruffa | 1,929 | 1.79 | +1.79 |
| | Informed Medical Options | Cathy Townsend | 1,458 | 1.35 | +1.35 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 107,727 | 92.37 | +1.34 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 8,901 | 7.63 | −1.34 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 116,628 | 90.85 | −1.44 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Dan Repacholi | 58,200 | 54.03 | +1.05 |
| | National | James Thomson | 49,527 | 45.97 | −1.05 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.05 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

**2019**

2019 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 38,331 | 37.57 | −14.22 |
| | National | Josh Angus | 23,942 | 23.47 | −2.87 |
| | One Nation | Stuart Bonds | 22,029 | 21.59 | +21.59 |
| | Greens | Janet Murray | 7,007 | 6.87 | −0.22 |
| | United Australia | Paul Davies | 4,407 | 4.32 | +4.32 |
| | Animal Justice | James Murphy | 3,267 | 3.20 | +3.20 |
| | Christian Democrats | Richard Stretton | 2,356 | 2.31 | −1.07 |
| | Socialist Equality | Max Boddy | 687 | 0.67 | +0.67 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 102,026 | 91.03 | −1.09 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 10,049 | 8.97 | +1.09 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 112,075 | 92.29 | −0.04 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 54,050 | 52.98 | −9.48 |
| | National | Josh Angus | 47,976 | 47.02 | +9.48 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | −9.48 | |

**2016**

2016 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 49,962 | 51.79 | +7.08 |
| | National | Ruth Rogers | 25,409 | 26.34 | +9.65 |
| | Greens | Peter Morris | 6,842 | 7.09 | +1.00 |
| | Independent | John Harvey | 4,740 | 4.91 | +4.91 |
| | Christian Democrats | Richard Stretton | 3,260 | 3.38 | +0.79 |
| | Independent | Cordelia Troy | 3,216 | 3.33 | +3.33 |
| | Independent | John Warham | 1,934 | 2.00 | +2.00 |
| | Independent | Arjay Martin | 1,103 | 1.14 | +1.14 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 96,466 | 92.12 | −1.26 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 8,249 | 7.88 | +1.26 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 104,715 | 92.33 | −0.47 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 60,255 | 62.46 | +6.78 |
| | National | Ruth Rogers | 36,211 | 37.54 | −6.78 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +6.78 | |

**2013**

2013 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 38,241 | 44.50 | −9.81 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 30,170 | 35.11 | +4.06 |
| | Palmer United | Jennifer Stefanac | 6,552 | 7.62 | +7.62 |
| | Greens | David Atwell | 5,066 | 5.89 | −3.03 |
| | One Nation | Bill Fox | 3,245 | 3.78 | +0.43 |
| | Christian Democrats | Richard Stretton | 1,834 | 2.13 | −0.25 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Ann Lawler | 833 | 0.97 | +0.97 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 85,941 | 93.46 | −0.33 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 6,014 | 6.54 | +0.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 91,955 | 94.51 | −0.22 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 46,125 | 53.67 | −8.81 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 39,816 | 46.33 | +8.81 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | −8.81 | |

**2010**

2010 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 44,159 | 54.31 | −5.28 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 25,245 | 31.05 | +3.83 |
| | Greens | Chris Parker | 7,251 | 8.92 | +2.60 |
| | One Nation | Jennifer Leayr | 2,721 | 3.35 | +3.35 |
| | Christian Democrats | Wayne Riley | 1,938 | 2.38 | +0.34 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 81,314 | 93.79 | −1.94 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 5,383 | 6.21 | +1.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 86,697 | 94.73 | −1.23 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 50,803 | 62.48 | −3.20 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 30,511 | 37.52 | +3.20 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | −3.20 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

**2007**

2007 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 49,561 | 59.95 | +8.64 |
| | National | Beth Black | 22,328 | 27.01 | -2.89 |
| | Greens | Jan Davis | 5,265 | 6.37 | +0.11 |
| | Climate Change | John Harvey | 2,500 | 3.02 | +3.02 |
| | Christian Democrats | Bernie Neville | 1,736 | 2.10 | +0.36 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Daniel Albury | 1,287 | 1.56 | -1.33 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 82,677 | 95.71 | +0.95 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 3,710 | 4.29 | -0.95 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 86,387 | 95.77 | +0.19 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 54,504 | 65.92 | +4.83 |
| | National | Beth Black | 28,173 | 34.08 | -4.83 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.83 | |

**2004**

2004 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 43,216 | 53.60 | +1.28 |
| | National | Beth Black | 21,621 | 26.81 | -0.69 |
| | Greens | Kerry Suwald | 5,195 | 6.44 | +1.92 |
| | Independent | Bill Fox | 2,618 | 3.25 | +3.25 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Ann Lawler | 2,590 | 3.21 | +1.76 |
| | One Nation | Neil Scholes | 2,543 | 3.15 | -7.16 |
| | Christian Democrats | Adrian Melbourne | 1,673 | 2.07 | +2.07 |
| | Family First | Michael Woods | 1,176 | 1.46 | +1.46 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 80,632 | 94.70 | -1.88 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 4,512 | 5.30 | +1.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 85,144 | 95.67 | -0.46 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 51,401 | 63.75 | +2.89 |
| | National | Beth Black | 29,231 | 36.25 | -2.89 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +2.89 | |

**2001**

2001 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 41,123 | 52.32 | -2.94 |
| | National | Rob Macaulay | 21,613 | 27.50 | +21.95 |
| | One Nation | Bill Fox | 8,100 | 10.31 | +0.43 |
| | Greens | Larry O'Brien | 3,553 | 4.52 | +2.30 |
| | Democrats | Rod Bennison | 3,071 | 3.91 | +1.16 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Ann Lawler | 1,137 | 1.45 | +0.91 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 78,597 | 96.58 | -0.20 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,780 | 3.42 | +0.20 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 81,377 | 96.76 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 47,838 | 60.86 | -3.83 |
| | National | Rob Macaulay | 30,759 | 39.14 | +39.14 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -3.83 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

**1998**

1998 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 39,187 | 54.63 | +3.88 |
| | Liberal | Cherrilyn McLean | 11,919 | 16.62 | +16.62 |
| | One Nation | Darren Culley | 8,131 | 11.33 | +11.33 |
| | National | Rob Macaulay | 7,976 | 11.12 | -25.92 |
| | Democrats | Rod Bennison | 2,278 | 3.18 | -1.91 |
| | Greens | James Ryan | 1,433 | 2.00 | -2.15 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Ann Lawler | 362 | 0.50 | +0.50 |
| | Australia First | Peter Meddows | 296 | 0.41 | +0.41 |
| | Socialist Equality | Terry Cook | 152 | 0.21 | +0.21 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 71,734 | 96.71 | -0.63 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,441 | 3.29 | +0.63 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 74,175 | 96.16 | -0.89 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 46,405 | 64.69 | +7.72 |
| | Liberal | Cherrilyn McLean | 25,329 | 35.31 | +35.31 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +7.72 | |

**1996**

1996 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 36,674 | 50.74 | -9.85 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 26,767 | 37.04 | +19.64 |
| | Democrats | Rod Bennison | 3,672 | 5.08 | +5.08 |
| | Greens | Jenny Vaughan | 3,000 | 4.15 | +4.15 |
| | Independent | Bernard Burke | 2,160 | 2.99 | +2.99 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 72,273 | 97.34 | -0.30 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,976 | 2.66 | +0.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 74,249 | 97.05 | +0.52 |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Joel Fitzgibbon | 41,003 | 56.97 | -6.95 |
| | National | Michael Johnsen | 30,976 | 43.03 | +6.95 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -6.95 | |

**1993**

1993 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 43,068 | 60.60 | +9.61 |
| | Liberal | Chris Barnes | 13,637 | 19.19 | +2.83 |
| | National | Bruce Crossing | 12,366 | 17.40 | -1.69 |
| | Natural Law | Robert Walker | 2,004 | 2.82 | +2.82 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 71,075 | 97.64 | -0.17 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,719 | 2.36 | +0.17 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 72,794 | 96.53 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 45,414 | 63.92 | +4.87 |
| | Liberal | Chris Barnes | 25,638 | 36.08 | -4.87 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.87 | |

**1990**

1990 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 34,099 | 49.2 | +0.3 |
| | Liberal | Ashley Saunders | 19,145 | 27.6 | +7.4 |
| | Democrats | Chris Richards | 8,717 | 12.6 | +6.6 |
| | National | Alison Davey | 7,312 | 10.6 | -14.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 69,273 | 97.9 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,483 | 2.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 70,756 | 96.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 40,403 | 58.4 | +4.9 |
| | Liberal | Ashley Saunders | 28,724 | 41.6 | -4.9 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.9 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

**1987**

1987 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 31,656 | 48.9 | +1.6 |
| | National | John Turner | 16,067 | 24.8 | +4.3 |
| | Liberal | Graham Dunkley | 13,053 | 20.2 | -7.1 |
| | Democrats | Maureen Simpson | 3,902 | 6.0 | +1.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 64,678 | 96.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,267 | 3.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 66,945 | 96.0 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 34,685 | 53.6 | +1.2 |
| | National | John Turner | 29,993 | 46.4 | +46.4 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.2 | |

**1984**

1984 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 28,589 | 47.3 | -3.2 |
| | Liberal | Ron Dolton | 16,483 | 27.3 | +20.8 |
| | National | John Turner | 12,420 | 20.5 | -14.3 |
| | Democrats | Warren Reid | 2,952 | 4.9 | -2.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 60,444 | 95.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 3,101 | 4.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 63,545 | 95.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Eric Fitzgibbon | 31,642 | 52.4 | -2.6 |
| | Liberal | Ron Dolton | 28,789 | 47.6 | +47.6 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -2.6 | |

**1983**

1983 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bob Brown | 54,213 | 68.1 | +0.2 |
| | Liberal | James White | 19,508 | 24.5 | -2.0 |
| | Democrats | Edwina Wilson | 5,942 | 7.5 | +1.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 79,663 | 98.2 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,492 | 1.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 81,155 | 95.9 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bob Brown | | 72.6 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal | James White | | 27.4 | -1.3 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.3 | |

**1980**

1980 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bob Brown | 51,061 | 67.9 | +7.2 |
| | Liberal | Ashley Saunders | 19,896 | 26.5 | -1.3 |
| | Democrats | Edwina Wilson | 4,227 | 5.6 | -5.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 75,184 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,454 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 76,638 | 95.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bob Brown | | 71.3 | +4.8 |
| | Liberal | Ashley Saunders | | 28.7 | -4.8 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.8 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

**1977**

1977 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 42,076 | 60.7 | -5.8 |
| | Liberal | Oliver Fennell | 19,299 | 27.8 | -5.7 |
| | Democrats | Elisabeth Kirkby | 7,944 | 11.5 | +11.5 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 69,319 | 98.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,383 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 70,702 | 96.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 66.5 | +0.0 |
| | Liberal | Oliver Fennell | | 32.5 | +0.0 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +0.0 | |

**1975**

1975 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 43,590 | 68.4 | -4.2 |
| | Liberal | Stephen Walker | 20,100 | 31.6 | +6.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 63,690 | 98.3 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,114 | 1.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 64,804 | 96.6 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -5.6 | |

**1974**

1974 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 44,987 | 72.6 | -2.5 |
| | Liberal | Alex Bevan | 15,442 | 24.9 | +0.0 |
| | Australia | Des Kynaston | 1,501 | 2.4 | +2.4 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 61,930 | 98.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 954 | 1.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,884 | 97.1 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 74.0 | -1.1 |
| | Liberal | Alex Bevan | | 26.0 | +1.1 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -1.1 | |

**1972**

1972 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 40,631 | 75.1 | +1.6 |
| | Liberal | Stanley Gumbleton | 13,436 | 24.9 | -1.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 54,067 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,041 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,108 | 96.8 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.6 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

**1969**

1969 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 36,504 | 73.5 | +4.3 |
| | Liberal | Raymond Hughes | 13,159 | 26.5 | +4.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 49,663 | 97.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,205 | 2.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,868 | 96.1 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +2.6 | |

**1966**

1966 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 33,037 | 71.9 | +0.8 |
| | Liberal | William Gilchrist | 9,044 | 19.7 | +3.0 |
| | Democratic Labor | Donald Richards | 3,839 | 8.4 | +0.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 45,920 | 96.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,856 | 3.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,776 | 96.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 73.6 | -4.0 |
| | Liberal | William Gilchrist | | 26.4 | +4.0 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -4.0 | |

**1963**

1963 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 32,132 | 71.1 | -4.4 |
| | Liberal | John Wassell | 7,555 | 16.7 | -2.1 |
| | Democratic Labor | Aubrey Barr | 3,389 | 7.5 | +7.5 |
| | Communist | Evan Phillips | 2,103 | 4.7 | -1.0 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 45,179 | 97.9 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 976 | 2.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,155 | 96.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 77.6 | -3.0 |
| | Liberal | John Wassell | | 22.4 | +3.0 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -3.0 | |

**1961**

1961 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 33,435 | 75.5 | +1.1 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | 8,337 | 18.8 | +4.7 |
| | Communist | John Tapp | 2,527 | 5.7 | +5.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 44,299 | 98.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 894 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,193 | 96.1 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 80.6 | +3.1 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | | 19.4 | -3.1 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +3.1 | |

**1960 by-election**

1960 Hunter by-election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Bert James | 21,978 | 57.0 | -17.4 |
| | Independent Labor | Bob Brown | 11,876 | 30.8 | +30.8 |
| | Communist | Charles Dumbrell | 3,895 | 10.1 | +10.1 |
| | Independent | Keith Murinane | 826 | 2.1 | +2.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 38,575 | 97.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 965 | 2.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,540 | 85.8 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Bert James | | 77.2 | -0.3 |
| | Independent Labor | Bob Brown | | 32.8 | +32.8 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -0.3 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

**1958**

1958 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Herbert Evatt | 31,740 | 74.4 | +3.6 |
| | Liberal | John Marsden | 6,036 | 14.1 | -7.2 |
| | Democratic Labor | William Burke | 4,884 | 11.4 | +11.4 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 42,660 | 97.8 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 972 | 2.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,632 | 96.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Herbert Evatt | | 77.5 | -0.3 |
| | Liberal | John Marsden | | 32.5 | +0.3 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -0.3 | |

**1955**

1955 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 28,766 | 70.8 | +2.0 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | 8,604 | 21.3 | +1.1 |
| | Communist | Evan Phillips | 3,158 | 7.8 | +2.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 40,328 | 97.4 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,071 | 2.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,399 | 95.9 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 77.8 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | | 32.2 | -1.3 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.3 | |

**1954**

1954 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 29,637 | 67.1 | -3.7 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | 8,380 | 19.0 | +2.1 |
| | Communist | Evan Phillips | 2,710 | 6.1 | -1.1 |
| | Independent | John McCroarey | 2,594 | 5.9 | +5.9 |
| | Independent | John White | 875 | 2.0 | +2.0 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 44,196 | 98.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 905 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,101 | 96.9 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 76.5 | -2.4 |
| | Liberal | Edward Farrell | | 33.5 | +2.4 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -2.4 | |

**1951**

1951 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 28,595 | 70.8 | +2.2 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | 6,810 | 16.9 | -4.9 |
| | Communist | Evan Phillips | 2,927 | 7.2 | -2.4 |
| | Independent | Arthur English | 2,075 | 5.1 | +5.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 40,407 | 97.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,007 | 2.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,414 | 97.1 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 78.9 | +1.6 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | | 21.1 | -1.6 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +1.6 | |

### Elections in the 1940s

**1949**

1949 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 26,704 | 68.6 | -14.4 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | 8,502 | 21.8 | +10.4 |
| | Communist | Evan Phillips | 3,729 | 9.6 | +9.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 38,935 | 97.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 964 | 2.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,899 | 97.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 77.3 | -9.7 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | | 32.7 | +9.7 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -9.7 | |

**1946**

1946 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 25,366 | 76.9 | -23.1 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | 10,208 | 17.3 | +17.3 |
| | Lang Labor | John Cain | 3,392 | 5.8 | +5.8 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 58,966 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,119 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,085 | 95.8 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 80.3 | -19.7 |
| | Liberal | Ted Fletcher | | 19.7 | +19.7 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -19.7 | |

**1943**

1943 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | unopposed | | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | | |

**1940**

1940 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 38,921 | 75.0 | -25.0 |
| | State Labor | Bill Gollan | 12,956 | 25.0 | +25.0 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 51,877 | 97.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 1,524 | 2.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,401 | 95.3 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -25.0 | |

### Elections in the 1930s

**1937**

1937 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | unopposed | | |
| | Labor gain from Labor (NSW) | Labor gain from Labor (NSW) | Swing | | |

**1934**

1934 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor (NSW) | Rowley James | 31,180 | 65.1 | +17.0 |
| | Labor | Thomas Ledsam | 11,844 | 24.7 | +14.3 |
| | Communist | Henry Scanlon | 4,904 | 10.2 | +6.3 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 47,928 | 95.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,173 | 4.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,101 | 96.9 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor (NSW) | Rowley James | | 74.3 | +17.1 |
| | Labor | Thomas Ledsam | | 35.7 | +35.7 |
| | Labor (NSW) hold | Labor (NSW) hold | Swing | +17.1 | |

**1931**

1931 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor (NSW) | Rowley James | 23,194 | 48.1 | +48.1 |
| | Independent | Arnold Bailey | 18,879 | 39.2 | +39.2 |
| | Labor | Allan Howie | 4,213 | 8.7 | -91.3 |
| | Communist | Harris Burnham | 1,891 | 3.9 | +3.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 48,177 | 96.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,008 | 4.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,185 | 96.4 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor (NSW) | Rowley James | | 57.2 | +57.2 |
| | Independent | Arnold Bailey | | 42.8 | +42.8 |
| | Labor (NSW) gain from Labor | Labor (NSW) gain from Labor | Swing | +57.2 | |

### Elections in the 1920s

**1929**

1929 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | unopposed | | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | | |

**1928**

1928 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Rowley James | 28,331 | 62.2 | -9.1 |
| | Nationalist | Ernest Carr | 9,145 | 20.1 | -8.6 |
| | Independent Labor | Jim Brown | 8,073 | 17.7 | +17.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 45,549 | 94.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,640 | 5.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,189 | 95.5 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Rowley James | | 70.6 | -0.7 |
| | Nationalist | Ernest Carr | | 39.4 | +0.7 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -0.7 | |

**1925**

1925 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | 31,244 | 71.3 | -28.7 |
| | Nationalist | Alfred Horsfall | 12,550 | 28.7 | +28.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 43,794 | 98.2 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 791 | 1.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,585 | 92.2 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -28.7 | |

**1922**

1922 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | unopposed | | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1910s

**1919**

1919 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | 13,692 | 58.9 | +5.5 |
| | Nationalist | John Lee | 9,558 | 41.1 | -5.5 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 23,250 | 98.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 485 | 2.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,735 | 60.9 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +5.5 | |

**1917**

1917 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | 13,327 | 53.4 | -1.2 |
| | Nationalist | William Ferguson | 11,633 | 46.6 | +1.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 24,960 | 97.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 585 | 2.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,545 | 67.8 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -1.2 | |

**1914**

1914 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | 12,057 | 54.6 | +0.1 |
| | Liberal | Alexander Hay | 10,045 | 45.4 | -0.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 22,102 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 429 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,531 | 61.5 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +0.1 | |

**1913**

1913 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labor | Matthew Charlton | 12,884 | 54.5 | -2.4 |
| | Liberal | John Fegan | 10,763 | 45.5 | +2.4 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 23,647 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 462 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,109 | 67.2 | |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | -2.4 | |

**1910**

1910 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | Matthew Charlton | 14,803 | 60.9 | +11.7 |
| | Liberal | Frank Liddell | 9,523 | 39.1 | -11.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 24,326 | 98.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 373 | 1.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,699 | 69.3 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | +11.7 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

**1906**

1906 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Anti-Socialist | Frank Liddell | 6,843 | 50.8 | -8.5 |
| | Labour | William Kearsley | 6,617 | 49.2 | +41.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 13,460 | 97.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 314 | 2.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,774 | 51.4 | |
| | Anti-Socialist hold | Anti-Socialist hold | Swing | -12.5 | |

**1903**

1903 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Free Trade | Frank Liddell | 7,697 | 59.3 | +59.3 |
| | Ind. Protectionist | James Waller | 4,241 | 32.7 | +32.7 |
| | Labour | Arthur Rae | 1,044 | 8.0 | +8.0 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 12,982 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 256 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,238 | 49.1 | |
| | Free Trade gain from Protectionist | Free Trade gain from Protectionist | Swing | +59.3 | |

**1901**

1901 Australian federal election: Hunter :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Protectionist | Edmund Barton | unopposed | | |
| | Protectionist win | Protectionist win | (new seat) | (new seat) | (new seat) |
