Murray
Australian House of Representatives Division
Division of Murray in Victoria, as of the 2016 federal election
Created1949
Abolished2019
NamesakeMurray River
Electors104,359 (2016)
Area16,229 km2 (6,266.1 sq mi)
DemographicRural

The Division of Murray was an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. It was located in the north of the state, adjoining the Murray River, which forms Victoria's border with New South Wales. It included the towns of Shepparton, Echuca, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Boort and Bridgewater. In 2018 the division was renamed the Division of Nicholls, coming into effect at the 2019 federal election.

History

The Murray River, the division's namesake

The Division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 May 1949, and was first contested at the 1949 election. It was named after the Murray River, which itself was named after British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Sir George Murray. It was first held by John McEwen, who briefly served as Prime Minister after the disappearance of Harold Holt, and subsequently became the inaugural Deputy Prime Minister under John Gorton. His successor in the seat, Bruce Lloyd, went on to serve as deputy leader to three successive Nationals leaders - Ian Sinclair, Charles Blunt and Tim Fischer.

Murray was in the hands of either the Liberal or National parties for its entire existence. At the time of its abolition, it was the third-safest coalition-held seat in Australia, with a 20-point swing required for Labor to win it.

In 2018 the division was renamed the Division of Nicholls, coming into effect at the 2019 federal election.

Members

Image Member Party Term Notes
  John McEwen
(1900–1980)		 Country 10 December 1949 –
1 February 1971		 Previously held the Division of Indi. Served as minister under Menzies, Holt and Gorton. Served as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1968. Served as Deputy Prime Minister under Gorton. Resigned to retire from politics
  Bruce Lloyd
(1937–)		 Country 20 March 1971 –
2 May 1975		 Retired
  National Country 2 May 1975 –
16 October 1982
  Nationals 16 October 1982 –
29 January 1996
  Sharman Stone
(1951–)		 Liberal 2 March 1996 –
9 May 2016		 Served as minister under Howard. Retired
  Damian Drum
(1960–)		 Nationals 2 July 2016 –
11 April 2019		 Previously a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. Transferred to the Division of Nicholls after Murray was abolished in 2019

Election results

2016 Australian federal election: Murray[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
National Damian Drum 31,105 35.34 +35.34
Liberal Duncan McGauchie 28,194 32.03 −29.38
Labor Alan Williams 13,188 14.98 −5.76
Greens Ian Christoe 3,880 4.41 +0.48
Country Robert Danieli 3,556 4.04 +4.04
Independent Fern Summer 3,323 3.78 +3.78
Independent Andrew Bock 1,467 1.67 +1.67
Rise Up Australia Yasmin Gunasekera 1,195 1.36 +0.73
Independent Diane Teasdale 1,037 1.18 +1.18
Independent Nigel Hicks 844 0.96 +0.96
Citizens Electoral Council Jeff Davy 227 0.26 −0.10
Total formal votes 88,016 91.16 −2.51
Informal votes 8,530 8.84 +2.51
Turnout 96,546 92.51 −2.04
Two-candidate-preferred result
National Damian Drum 48,527 55.13 +55.13
Liberal Duncan McGauchie 39,489 44.87 −26.00
National gain from Liberal SwingN/A

References

  1. ↑ Murray, VIC, Virtual Tally Room 2016, Australian Electoral Commission.

36°16′44″S 144°38′46″E / 36.279°S 144.646°E / -36.279; 144.646

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