Division of Parkes

Australian federal electoral division

The Division of Parkes is an Australian electoral division in the state of New South Wales. It is the largest electorate in the state. It is located in the far north of the state, next to the border with Queensland. It is named after Sir Henry Parkes, seventh Premier of New South Wales and sometimes known as the 'Father of Federation'.[2] It was set up in 1984.

Parkes
Australian House of Representatives Division
Division of Parkes (green) within New South Wales
Created1984
MPMark Coulton
PartyNational
NamesakeSir Henry Parkes
Electors101,903 (2013)[1]
Area256,643 km2 (99,090.4 sq mi)
DemographicRural
Henry Parkes

It includes the towns of Dubbo. It also includes the towns of Mudgee, Dunedoo, Gunnedah, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Walgett, Narrabri, Moree, Warren, Nyngan, Cobar and Bourke.[2] The division does not include the town of Parkes.

This is the second Division of Parkes. The first Division of Parkes (1901-69) was in suburban Sydney.

Members change

Member Party Term
  Michael Cobb National 1984–1998
  Tony Lawler National 1998–2001
  John Cobb National 2001–2007
  Mark Coulton National 2007–present

Michael Cobb was found guilty of fraud in 1998.[3] He claimed money for staying in hotels, but he was actually seeping in his car. John Cobb was Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and later Community Services in the Howard government. In the 2007 election Cobb moved to the Division of Calare.

Since the 2013 election, Parkes is the safest seat in Australia. It would need more votes than any other seat to change to another political party.

Election results change

2022 Australian federal election: Parkes[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
National Mark Coulton 43,931 49.32 −1.44
Labor Jack Ayoub 18,009 20.22 −3.34
One Nation Deborah Swinbourn 6,662 7.48 +7.48
Liberal Democrats Peter Rothwell 5,723 6.42 −1.64
Indigenous-Aboriginal Derek Hardman 4,466 5.01 +5.01
Greens Trish Frail 4,214 4.73 +0.56
United Australia Petrus Van Der Steen 2,372 2.66 −3.63
Independent Stuart Howe 2,191 2.46 +2.46
Informed Medical Options Benjamin Fox 1,512 1.70 +1.70
Total formal votes 89,080 92.31 −1.83
Informal votes 7,421 7.69 +1.83
Turnout 96,501 88.53 −2.60
Two-party-preferred result
National Mark Coulton 60,433 67.84 +0.93
Labor Jack Ayoub 28,647 32.16 −0.93
National hold Swing +0.93

References change

  1. "NSW Division - Parkes, NSW". Virtual Tally Room, Election 2013. Australian Electoral Commission. 24 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Profile of the electoral division of Parkes (NSW)". Australian Electoral Commission. 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  3. Keogh, Kylie (13 October 2002). "Cobb and co in fight over will - smh.com.au". smh.com.au. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. Parkes, NSW, 2022 Tally Room, Australian Electoral Commission.

Other websites change

30°53′13″S 147°22′23″E / 30.887°S 147.373°E / -30.887; 147.373