David Watkins Labor David Watkins Labor

A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Newcastle on 1 June 1935.

This was triggered by the death of long-serving Labor MP David Watkins.

Following Watkins' death, only Billy Hughes and Senator George Pearce remained of those elected at the first federal election in 1901.

As Newcastle was the only remaining New South Wales seat held by the federal Labor Party, the by-election was closely fought with the breakaway New South Wales Labor Party, supporters of the controversial former premier Jack Lang.