The previous Member for Fremantle was John Dawkins (ALP) who represented the electorate from 1977 to 1994. He resigned from Parliament on 4 February 1994 and the writ for the by-election was issued on the same day.

Demographic rating:	Inner Metropolitan
Seat status following 1993 election:	Fairly Safe Labor
Two-party preferred 1993 election:	Labor:	57.79%
	LNP:	42.21%
Two-party preferred 1994 by-election:	Labor:	58.83%
	LNP:	41.17%

A total of four candidates nominated for the Fremantle by-election held on 12 March 1994 compared with five at the 1993 federal election.

Candidates	Votes	%
Raymond N Conder	1 506	2.41
Geoff Hourn (LP)	23 047	36.89
Stephen Walker (GWA)	5 215	8.35
#Carmen Lawrence (ALP)	32 707	52.35
Formal	62 475	97.40
Informal	1 669	2.60
Total	64 144	85.84

A total of 74 721 electors were enrolled for the Fremantle by-election. The Divisional Returning Officer for Fremantle declared Carmen Lawrence (ALP) as the new Member on 15 March 1994.