1973 Murray state by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Murray on 6 October 1973 because of the death of Joe Lawson. Lawson had represented the district since 1932, as a member of the Country Party until 1968 when he lost pre-selection. He ran as an independent, winning the seat at the 1968 and 1971 elections.

Candidates
This was the first election for all 3 candidates and each would again contest the electorate at the general election in November 1973 with similar results.
 * Mary Meillon was the eldest daughter of Joe Lawson.
 * Bruce Jeffery was secretary of the Rural Lands Protection Board in Jerilderie and would later be elected the member for Oxley.
 * Douglas Drew did not stand again after 1973.

Result
Joe Lawson died.