Division of Flynn

Geography

Federal electoral division boundaries in Australia are determined at redistributions by a redistribution committee appointed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Redistributions occur for the boundaries of divisions in a particular state, and they occur every seven years, or sooner if a state's representation entitlement changes or when divisions of a state are malapportioned.

The electorate generally extends west from the port city of Gladstone, as far as the Central Highlands town of Emerald.

History

The division was created in 2006, following a redistribution of seats in the state. It was first contested at the 2007 federal election.

It was named after John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Formation

In June 2006, the AEC announced that the new federal electorate in Queensland to be created for the 2007 election would be named Wright in honour of Judith Wright for her life as a "poet and in the areas of arts, conservation and indigenous affairs in Queensland and Australia".{{cite web | access-date = 2016-02-20 }} However, in September 2006 the AEC announced that, due to numerous objections from people fearing the name may be linked to disgraced former Queensland ALP leader Keith Wright, it would name the seat after John Flynn.

The city of Gladstone, home to 40% of Flynn's voters, has long been a Labor stronghold. However, the rural areas vote in equally large numbers for the Liberal National Party.

Demographics

Flynn is a largely blue-collar electorate. It tends to support the Liberal National Party. Its industries include a mix of mining and agriculture, as well as heavy industry around Gladstone.

Labor maintains a base of support in Gladstone and Mount Morgan, and in the Aboriginal community of Woorabinda where it recorded 71.2% in 2019. Elsewhere in the electorate, voters skew conservative and vote heavily for the Liberal National Party.

Similar voting trends can be seen in the nearby electorates of Capricornia, Dawson, and Herbert.

Members

Election results

Main article: Electoral results for the Division of Flynn

Notes

References

References

1. (14 November 2017). "The process of federal redistributions: a quick guide".
2. (July 2019). "Electoral seat named after flying doctors' founder". ABC News}}{{Dead link.
3. (24 January 2010). "Flynn – Election 2010".
4. "Flynn (Key Seat) - Federal Electorate, Candidates, Results".