Electoral district of Collie-Wellington
Encyclopedia
The Electoral district of Collie-Preston is a Legislative Assembly
electorate
in the state
of Western Australia
. While the seat was known as Collie for just over a century of its existence as an electorate, the seat was known as South West Mining from 1901 to 1904, and Collie-Wellington from 2005 to 2008. It is named for the South West coal mining town of Collie
. While historically a very safe seat for the Labor Party
, redistributions in 1988 and 2007 due to increases in the quota for country seats which had historically been malapportioned resulted in the seat incorporating surrounding rural shires which were hostile to Labor, and in 2008, the seat is rated as marginal Labor by Antony Green, favouring Labor by 0.9% on present numbers.
. In 1904, it was renamed "Collie" with almost no changes to its boundaries. In the Redistribution of Seats Act 1911, its boundaries were so unusually contorted by the then-Liberal government, which was accused of trying to lock Labor votes in Premier
Frank Wilson's marginal seat of Sussex
behind Collie's boundaries, that the Kalgoorlie Miner
and other newspapers used the seat's map as an effective mascot
for the bill. However, the boundaries remained unchanged until a later redistribution ahead of the 1930 election.
The seat changed hands three times between the Liberal member John Ewing
and his Labor rivals, but the seat was securely Labor from the 1908 election and for 81 years continuously remained a Labor seat, with only three members during that time—Arthur Wilson until 1947, then Harry May until 1968 and Tom Jones
until 1989.
In 1986, the seat had 9,410 enrolled voters compared with an average of 13,796 statewide and over 28,000 in some metropolitan electorates such as Joondalup
and Murdoch
. The Burke
Labor government's Acts Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 1987, passed with National Party
support, increased metropolitan representation from 29 to 34 out of 57 seats, and the 1988 redistribution which resulted in Collie gaining parts of Dale
and Warren combined with a significant statewide swing against the Labor Party delivered the seat to the Nationals' Dr Hilda Turnbull, who held the seat until the 2001 election
. Labor's Mick Murray
, head of the Country Labor grouping in Western Australia, gained the seat on his third attempt with a margin of just 34 votes.
In the 2003 redistribution, the seat was renamed Collie-Wellington when it lost its southern and eastern sections and incorporated large sections of Waroona
and Harvey
which had been part of Murray-Wellington. The 2007 redistribution renamed the seat Collie-Preston and largely reversed the 2003 redistribution, but adding the coastal section of the Shire of Capel
which brought in residents on the fringes of metropolitan Bunbury
.
, Capel
, Donnybrook-Balingup and Dardanup
. It includes the Bunbury
suburbs of Dalyellup
, Eaton
and Millbridge
, the towns of Balingup
, Boyanup
, Burekup
, Capel
, Collie
, Dardanup
, Donnybrook
and Kirup
.
The seat has changed many times through its history. In the 1950s, the seat was limited to the region around Collie itself and mining areas within the Shire of West Arthur. By 1968, the seat consisted of the Shires of Collie, Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook
districts, and from 1976 to 1982 also included Dardanup. The 1988 redistribution added Boddington
from the abolished Dale
, as well as the Greenbushes
district from Warren. The 1994 redistribution added Dardanup and eastern Capel, including Boyanup
but excluding Eaton and the coastal regions. Ahead of the state election
, only Collie and Dardanup were retained, with the seat gaining Waroona
and most of Harvey
(excluding Australind
and other urban districts which were part of Leschenault).
The 2007 redistribution, which took effect at the 2008 election
, brought back Dardanup and Donnybrook-Balingup, but also added Capel from the abolished Capel
district, and the Bunbury suburb of Eaton
from the abolished Leschenault. This change rendered Collie a marginal Labor seat, with Labor's 81.7% two-party-preferred vote across the six booths in the town of Collie
contrasting with the Liberals' 60.1% two-party-preferred vote across the three outer Bunbury booths. With the rural districts generally historically preferring Liberal candidates—62.7% at the 2005 election and 61.9% at the 2007 federal election—the seat has been rated by Antony Green as marginal Labor with a margin of 0.9% going into the election.
Western Australian Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
electorate
Electoral districts of Western Australia
The Western Australian Legislative Assembly is elected from 59 single-member electoral districts. These districts are often referred to as electorates or seats....
in the state
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. While the seat was known as Collie for just over a century of its existence as an electorate, the seat was known as South West Mining from 1901 to 1904, and Collie-Wellington from 2005 to 2008. It is named for the South West coal mining town of Collie
Collie, Western Australia
-External links:*...
. While historically a very safe seat for the Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
, redistributions in 1988 and 2007 due to increases in the quota for country seats which had historically been malapportioned resulted in the seat incorporating surrounding rural shires which were hostile to Labor, and in 2008, the seat is rated as marginal Labor by Antony Green, favouring Labor by 0.9% on present numbers.
History
Collie was originally created as the seat of "South West Mining" in the Constitution Act Amendment Act 1899, the last redistribution of seats to require a modification of the Constitution. It was first contested at the 1901 electionWestern Australian state election, 1901
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 24 April 1901 to elect 50 members to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly...
. In 1904, it was renamed "Collie" with almost no changes to its boundaries. In the Redistribution of Seats Act 1911, its boundaries were so unusually contorted by the then-Liberal government, which was accused of trying to lock Labor votes in Premier
Premier of Western Australia
The Premier of Western Australia is the head of the executive government in the Australian State of Western Australia. The Premier has similar functions in Western Australia to those performed by the Prime Minister of Australia at the national level, subject to the different Constitutions...
Frank Wilson's marginal seat of Sussex
Electoral district of Sussex
Sussex was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia from 1890 to 1950.The district was based in south-western Western Australia, including areas such as Busselton and Margaret River, and was named for the Sussex land district which formed its...
behind Collie's boundaries, that the Kalgoorlie Miner
Kalgoorlie Miner
The Kalgoorlie Miner is a daily newspaper circulating in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Goldfields-Esperance region....
and other newspapers used the seat's map as an effective mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
for the bill. However, the boundaries remained unchanged until a later redistribution ahead of the 1930 election.
The seat changed hands three times between the Liberal member John Ewing
John Ewing
John Ewing may refer to:* John Ewing , professional baseball player* John Ewing , U.S. Representative from Indiana* John Ewing , U.S. Minister to Honduras, 1913–1918...
and his Labor rivals, but the seat was securely Labor from the 1908 election and for 81 years continuously remained a Labor seat, with only three members during that time—Arthur Wilson until 1947, then Harry May until 1968 and Tom Jones
Tom Jones (Australian politician)
Thomas Henry Jones OAM is a retired Australian politician and trade union leader. He served the Australian Labor Party as member for Collie from 1968 until his retirement in 1989.-Early life:...
until 1989.
In 1986, the seat had 9,410 enrolled voters compared with an average of 13,796 statewide and over 28,000 in some metropolitan electorates such as Joondalup
Electoral district of Joondalup
Joondalup is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia.The district is located in the northern suburbs of Perth.Joondalup has tended to be a marginal seat.-Geography:...
and Murdoch
Electoral district of Murdoch
Murdoch was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia. It existed from 1977 to 1989 and again from 1996 to 2008....
. The Burke
Brian Burke
Brian Thomas Burke was Labor premier of Western Australia from 25 February 1983 until his resignation on 25 February 1988...
Labor government's Acts Amendment (Electoral Reform) Act 1987, passed with National Party
National Party of Western Australia
The National Party of Western Australia is a political party in Western Australia. It is affiliated with the National Party of Australia but maintains a separate structure and identity....
support, increased metropolitan representation from 29 to 34 out of 57 seats, and the 1988 redistribution which resulted in Collie gaining parts of Dale
Electoral district of Dale
Dale was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia from 1950 to 1989.Dale was a predominately rural based to the east of Perth. It was a safe seat for the Liberal Party. The district was abolished ahead of the 1989 state election, whence its last...
and Warren combined with a significant statewide swing against the Labor Party delivered the seat to the Nationals' Dr Hilda Turnbull, who held the seat until the 2001 election
Western Australian state election, 2001
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 10 February 2001 to elect all 57 members to the Legislative Assembly and all 34 members to the Legislative Council...
. Labor's Mick Murray
Mick Murray (politician)
Michael "Mick" Philip Murray was born on 26 November 1949 in Perth, Australia. He has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since February 2001...
, head of the Country Labor grouping in Western Australia, gained the seat on his third attempt with a margin of just 34 votes.
In the 2003 redistribution, the seat was renamed Collie-Wellington when it lost its southern and eastern sections and incorporated large sections of Waroona
Shire of Waroona
The Shire of Waroona is a Local Government Area in the Peel region of Western Australia between Mandurah and Harvey and about 110 kilometres south of Perth, the state capital...
and Harvey
Shire of Harvey
The Shire of Harvey is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. It is located in the state's South West region, approximately 140km south of Perth, and includes some of Bunbury's northern suburbs. The shire covers an area of 1,728 km² and has a estimated population of about 24,000...
which had been part of Murray-Wellington. The 2007 redistribution renamed the seat Collie-Preston and largely reversed the 2003 redistribution, but adding the coastal section of the Shire of Capel
Shire of Capel
The Shire of Capel is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, taking in the land between the cities of Bunbury and Busselton about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is the town of Capel...
which brought in residents on the fringes of metropolitan Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
.
Geography
Collie-Preston presently includes the Shires of CollieShire of Collie
The Shire of Collie is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, about east of Bunbury and about south of the state capital, Perth...
, Capel
Shire of Capel
The Shire of Capel is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, taking in the land between the cities of Bunbury and Busselton about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is the town of Capel...
, Donnybrook-Balingup and Dardanup
Shire of Dardanup
The Shire of Dardanup is a Local Government Area in the South West region of Western Australia, immediately to the east and southeast of the city of Bunbury and about south of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is in Eaton in Bunbury's eastern...
. It includes the Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
suburbs of Dalyellup
Dalyellup, Western Australia
Dalyellup is an outer southern suburb of Bunbury, a city in Western Australia, located within the Shire of Capel local government area. The suburb was established in 1999 when the Department of Housing and Works entered into a joint venture with Satterley Property Group to develop Dalyellup Beach...
, Eaton
Eaton, Western Australia
Eaton is a northeastern suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, located 7 km from the centre of Bunbury on the south shore of the Collie River. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Dardanup, and the offices for the Shire are located within the suburb....
and Millbridge
Millbridge, Western Australia
Millbridge is a northeastern suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, adjoining Eaton and located 9 km from the centre of Bunbury. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Dardanup.-History:...
, the towns of Balingup
Balingup, Western Australia
Balingup is a town located in the South West of Western Australia, south of the state capital, Perth, and southeast of the town of Donnybrook.The town takes its name from Balingup Pool, located on the Balingup Brook which flows through the town...
, Boyanup
Boyanup, Western Australia
Boyanup is a town located on the South Western Highway in the South West agricultural region, 195 km south of Perth and 18 km south-east of Bunbury, Western Australia....
, Burekup
Burekup, Western Australia
Burekup is a small town located on the South Western Highway in the South West Region of Western Australia.The town is built on the Collie River and was originally a railway siding on the Pinjarra-Picton line that was established in 1910 and known at the time as Boorekup.Following a request from...
, Capel
Capel, Western Australia
Capel is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, located 212 kilometres south of Perth and midway between Bunbury and Busselton....
, Collie
Collie, Western Australia
-External links:*...
, Dardanup
Dardanup, Western Australia
Dardanup is a small town in the South West region of Western Australia. The town is located in the fertile Ferguson valley and is close to the Ferguson River.The area was first settled in 1852 by Thomas Little who named his property Dardanup Park...
, Donnybrook
Donnybrook, Western Australia
-Tourism:Donnybrook has many town icons bearing the apple. On the main street, apple-shaped lights line the entrance of the Old Railway Station. These lights have recently been restored. Atop the east Donnybrook hill is a high tower with an apple at the top...
and Kirup
Kirup, Western Australia
Kirup is situated between Donnybrook and Mullalyup on the South Western Highway, 228 km south of Perth, Western Australia at the entrance of the Blackwood River valley. Kirup was originally settled as a timber town exporting railway sleepers....
.
The seat has changed many times through its history. In the 1950s, the seat was limited to the region around Collie itself and mining areas within the Shire of West Arthur. By 1968, the seat consisted of the Shires of Collie, Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook
Shire of Boyup Brook
The Shire of Boyup Brook is a Local Government Area located in the South West region of Western Australia, about southeast of Perth, the state capital. The Shire covers an area of and its seat of government is the town of Boyup Brook.-History:...
districts, and from 1976 to 1982 also included Dardanup. The 1988 redistribution added Boddington
Shire of Boddington
The Shire of Boddington is a Local Government Area in the Peel region of Western Australia, about south-east of the state capital, Perth. The Shire covers an area of , and its seat of government is the town of Boddington.-History:...
from the abolished Dale
Electoral district of Dale
Dale was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia from 1950 to 1989.Dale was a predominately rural based to the east of Perth. It was a safe seat for the Liberal Party. The district was abolished ahead of the 1989 state election, whence its last...
, as well as the Greenbushes
Greenbushes, Western Australia
Greenbushes is a timber and mining town located in the South West region of Western Australia.-History:Greenbushes was founded as a mining town in 1888 following a surveyor's discovery of tin in 1886. Greenbushes was named after the bright green bushes that contrasted against the grey eucalyptus...
district from Warren. The 1994 redistribution added Dardanup and eastern Capel, including Boyanup
Boyanup, Western Australia
Boyanup is a town located on the South Western Highway in the South West agricultural region, 195 km south of Perth and 18 km south-east of Bunbury, Western Australia....
but excluding Eaton and the coastal regions. Ahead of the state election
Western Australian state election, 2005
Elections were held in the state of Western Australia on 26 February 2005 to elect all 57 members to the Legislative Assembly and all 34 members to the Legislative Council...
, only Collie and Dardanup were retained, with the seat gaining Waroona
Shire of Waroona
The Shire of Waroona is a Local Government Area in the Peel region of Western Australia between Mandurah and Harvey and about 110 kilometres south of Perth, the state capital...
and most of Harvey
Shire of Harvey
The Shire of Harvey is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. It is located in the state's South West region, approximately 140km south of Perth, and includes some of Bunbury's northern suburbs. The shire covers an area of 1,728 km² and has a estimated population of about 24,000...
(excluding Australind
Australind, Western Australia
Australind is a satellite town and outer northern suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, and is located 12 km north-east of Bunbury's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Harvey. At the 2006 census, Australind had a population of 8,717. -History:Prior to European...
and other urban districts which were part of Leschenault).
The 2007 redistribution, which took effect at the 2008 election
Western Australian state election, 2008
A general election was held in the state of Western Australia on Saturday 6 September 2008 to elect 59 members to the Legislative Assembly and 36 members to the Legislative Council...
, brought back Dardanup and Donnybrook-Balingup, but also added Capel from the abolished Capel
Electoral district of Capel
The Electoral district of Capel was a Legislative Assembly electorate in the state of Western Australia. The district was named for the South West town of Capel, located between Bunbury and Busselton, which fell within its borders. The seat was abolished after only one term at the 2007...
district, and the Bunbury suburb of Eaton
Eaton, Western Australia
Eaton is a northeastern suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, located 7 km from the centre of Bunbury on the south shore of the Collie River. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Dardanup, and the offices for the Shire are located within the suburb....
from the abolished Leschenault. This change rendered Collie a marginal Labor seat, with Labor's 81.7% two-party-preferred vote across the six booths in the town of Collie
Collie, Western Australia
-External links:*...
contrasting with the Liberals' 60.1% two-party-preferred vote across the three outer Bunbury booths. With the rural districts generally historically preferring Liberal candidates—62.7% at the 2005 election and 61.9% at the 2007 federal election—the seat has been rated by Antony Green as marginal Labor with a margin of 0.9% going into the election.
Members for Collie
| South-West Mining | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Party | Term | |
| John Ewing | 1901–1904 | ||
| Collie | |||
| Ernest Henshaw Ernest Henshaw Ernest Percival Henshaw was an Australian Labor Party politician who became a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly.... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
1904–1905 | |
| John Ewing | Ministerial | 1905–1908 | |
| Arthur Wilson | Labor | 1908–1947 | |
| Harry May | Labor | 1947–1968 | |
| Tom Jones Tom Jones (Australian politician) Thomas Henry Jones OAM is a retired Australian politician and trade union leader. He served the Australian Labor Party as member for Collie from 1968 until his retirement in 1989.-Early life:... |
Labor | 1968–1989 | |
| Dr Hilda Turnbull | Nationals National Party of Western Australia The National Party of Western Australia is a political party in Western Australia. It is affiliated with the National Party of Australia but maintains a separate structure and identity.... |
1989–2001 | |
| Mick Murray Mick Murray (politician) Michael "Mick" Philip Murray was born on 26 November 1949 in Perth, Australia. He has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since February 2001... |
Labor | 2001–2005 | |
| Collie-Wellington | |||
| Mick Murray Mick Murray (politician) Michael "Mick" Philip Murray was born on 26 November 1949 in Perth, Australia. He has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since February 2001... |
Labor | 2005–2008 | |
| Collie-Preston | |||
| Mick Murray Mick Murray (politician) Michael "Mick" Philip Murray was born on 26 November 1949 in Perth, Australia. He has been a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since February 2001... |
Labor | 2008–present | |
Election results
External links
- Electorate Profile (Antony Green, ABC)