The Division of Dawson is an Australian electoral division in the state of Queensland. It comprises the city of Mackay and the coastal region north-west, including the Whitsunday Islands, until the south-eastern suburbs of Townsville on the right bank of the Ross River.
Since 2022 its MP has been Andrew Willcox of the National Party.
Geography Since 1984, federal electoral division boundaries in Australia have been determined at redistributions by a redistribution committee appointed by the Australian Electoral Commission. 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 Division of Dawson includes the city of Mackay, as well as other neighbouring towns to the north-west, including Farleigh, Kuttabul, Mount Ossa, Seaforth and Calen. Along the Bruce Highway other towns include Bloomsbury, Proserpine, Bowen, Home Hill, Ayr and Giru until the south-eastern suburbs of Townsville on the right bank of the Ross River. It also includes the Whitsunday Islands.
History
The division was created in 1949 and is named after Anderson Dawson, the first Labor Premier of Queensland and leader of the first parliamentary socialist government anywhere in the world.
Apart from a period from 1966 to 1975 and 2007 to 2010, it has been held by the National Party. While Mackay, the largest city wholly within the electorate, is a longstanding Labor stronghold, it is usually not enough to overcome the region's overall conservative leaning.
Members Image Member Party Term Notes Charles Davidson Country 10 December 1949 –1 November 1963 Previously held the Division of Capricornia. Served as minister under Menzies. Retired George Shaw 30 November 1963 –9 January 1966 Died in office Rex Patterson Labor 26 February 1966 –13 December 1975 Served as minister under Whitlam. Lost seat Ray Braithwaite National Country 13 December 1975 –16 October 1982 Retired Nationals 16 October 1982 –29 January 1996 De-Anne Kelly 2 March 1996 –24 November 2007 Served as minister under Howard. Lost seat James Bidgood Labor 24 November 2007 –19 July 2010 Retired George Christensen National 21 August 2010 –11 April 2022 Did not contest in 2022. Failed to win a Senate seat for One Nation Andrew Willcox National 21 May 2022 –present Incumbent
Election results
Notes
References
External links Division of Dawson (Qld) — Australian Electoral Commission