Darling Downs, 1901
The very first by-election for the Commonwealth Parliament was held on 14 September 1901. William Groom, Protectionist Member for Darling Downs (Qld), died on 8 August, only a few months into his life as an MP. Groom is notable for being the only transported convict ever elected to the federal Parliament – he was transported for embezzlement in 1846. The by-election was won by Groom’s son, Littleton, who went on to hold it for 28 years.