Created 1984 Electors 107,445 (2016) Founded 1984 Elector 107,445 | MP Mark Coulton Demographic Rural Member of parliament Mark Coulton Namesake Henry Parkes | |
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Area 393,413 km (151,897.6 sq mi) Party National Party of Australia | ||
The Division of Parkes is an Australian electoral division in the state of New South Wales. The largest electorate in the state, it is located in the far north west of the state, adjoining the border with Queensland in the north and with South Australia in the west. The division is named after Sir Henry Parkes, seventh Premier of New South Wales and sometimes known as the 'Father of Federation'. The division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 October 1984, and was first contested at the 1984 federal election.
Its largest population centre is Dubbo. It also includes the towns of Dunedoo, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Walgett, Narrabri, Moree, Warren, Nyngan, Cobar and Bourke. The division does not include the namesake town of Parkes, which is in the Division of Riverina.
The current Member for Parkes, since the 2007 federal election, is Mark Coulton, a member of the National Party of Australia.
History
The former Division of Parkes (1901-69) was located in suburban Sydney, and was not related to this division, except in name.
The seat is currently a safe Nationals seat. It was substantially changed by the 2006 redistribution and is now considered by many observers as the successor to the abolished Division of Gwydir. As a result, the then member for Parkes, John Cobb, instead contested the Division of Calare.
According to the 2011 census, approximately 78 per cent of the population within the division identify as Christian, more than any other electorate in Australia at that time.