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Encyclopedia > 2007 Australian federal election
Voting box icon This article or section contains information about a forthcoming or ongoing election.
Content may change dramatically as the election approaches and unfolds.
Election campaign
< 2001 2004 2007
Government Opposition
Party Coalition Labor
Leader Howard Rudd
Leader since 1995 2006
2004 2PP result 52.74% 47.26%
Seats held 87 60
Seats needed 0 16
Marginals held[1] 23 23

The next general election for the Parliament of Australia is expected to take place in late 2007, although it can be held as late as 19 January 2008. Image File history File links Vote. ... An election is a decision making process where people choose people to hold official offices. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 9 October 2004. ... The Coalition in Australian politics refers to the grouping of two political parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922, with only brief breaks (e. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939), Australian politician, is the Prime Minister of Australia. ... Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957), is the leader of the federal Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament. ... Legislative elections were held in Australia on 9 October 2004. ... Parliament House Canberra: The main entrance and the flag The Parliament of Australia is the legislative branch of Australia. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The opposition Australian Labor Party, currently led by Kevin Rudd,[2] will be the main challenger to the incumbent Coalition government, currently led by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Party, John Howard, and his Coalition partner the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Party, Mark Vaile. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is Australias oldest political party. ... Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957), is the leader of the federal Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament. ... The Coalition in Australian politics refers to the grouping of two political parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922, with only brief breaks (e. ... Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939), Australian politician, is the Prime Minister of Australia. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ... Hon Mark Vaile Eric William Day (born 18 April 1956), Australian politician, is the leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. ...

Contents

Election timetable

As the government holds a majority in both houses, it is likely that the 2007 election will be a regular election, and not a double dissolution election. The election will likely be held between October 2007 and 19 January 2008. Image:Ac. ...


The last date on which the next election can be held is calculated in the following way:

  • Section 28 of the Constitution says: "Every House of Representatives shall continue for three years from the first sitting of the House."
  • Section 32 of the Constitution says: "The writs shall be issued within ten days from the expiry of a House of Representatives or from the proclamation of a dissolution thereof."
  • Section 156 (1) of the Electoral Act says: "the date fixed for the nomination of the candidates shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 27 days after the date of the writ."
  • Section 157 of the Electoral Act says: "The date fixed for the polling shall not be less than 23 days nor more than 31 days after the date of nomination."

This parliament first met on 16 November 2004. Therefore it expires on 16 November 2007. The writs must therefore be issued by 26 November 2007 (ten days after the expiry). The last date on which nominations can close is therefore 23 December 2007 (27 days after the writs). The last Saturday on which polling can take place therefore is 19 January 2008 (30 day period following the nomination would expire on the 22nd.). However, no Australian Prime Minister has yet called an election to take place in January. November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... December 23 is the 357th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (358th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Gerard Henderson wrote in December 2006: "The 2007 APEC leaders' forum will be held in Sydney on September 8 and 9. If John Howard calls an election immediately after the forum, the poll could be held as early as October 13 or October 20. Other Saturdays are realistically available up to December 15 - but the earlier dates are more likely than the latter one." [3] Gerard Henderson is a well known conservative Australian newspaper columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, and is executive director of the Sydney Institute, a conservative think-tank. ...


Issues

Issues predicted by the Australian media to play the highest importance in the election campaign include economic management, climate change[4], the government's advocacy of nuclear energy[5], water policy, the WorkChoices industrial relations reforms, interest rates[6], and the Iraq War[7] including changes that may be made to policy in light of the Democratic-controlled congress after the recent United States elections. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, who introduced the Australian industrial relations legislation, speaking at a press conference on 8 November 2005 Wikinews has News related to this article: Portal:Australia/Australian industrial relations legislation, 2005 New Australian industrial relations legislation passes House of Representatives Suspicions of... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States; the other being the Republican Party. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      The 2006 United States midterm elections were held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. ...


Parties

The following political parties are registered with the AEC and will stand candidates at the 2007 election.

For more details see:- The Australian Democrats (in regular parlance, just the Democrats), is an Australian social liberal party formed in 1977 from the earlier Australia Party by Don Chipp, who left the Liberal Party of Australia to do so. ... Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is the Green political party in Australia. ... Green politics or Green ideology is the ideology of the Green Parties, mainly informed by environmentalism, ecosophy and sustainable economics and aimed at developing a sustainable society. ... The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is Australias oldest political party. ... Social democracy is a political ideology emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from supporters of Marxism who believed that the transition to a socialist society could be achieved through democratic evolutionary rather than revolutionary means. ... In Australian politics, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) is the Northern Territory equivalent to the Liberal and National parties - the Country part of the partys name is a relic of when the National Party was called the Country Party. ... Liberal conservatism is a variant of conservatism that combines the classical conservative concern for established tradition, respect for authority and (sometimes) religious values with liberal ideas, especially on economic issues (see economic liberalism, which advocates free market capitalism). ... The Family First Party is a political party in Australia, with policies that generally mirror socially conservative and family values. ... Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant (see Hebrews 8:6). ... Conservatism is a relativistic term used to describe political philosophies that favor traditional values, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... Liberal conservatism is a variant of conservatism that combines the classical conservative concern for established tradition, respect for authority and (sometimes) religious values with liberal ideas, especially on economic issues (see economic liberalism, which advocates free market capitalism). ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ...

Judicial High Court Lower Courts Constitution State and territory governments Executive Governors and Administrators Premiers and Chief Ministers Legislative Parliaments and Assemblies State electoral systems ACT - NSW - NT - Qld. ...

House of Representatives

At the 2004 election, the Coalition won 52.8 percent of the two-party preferred vote gaining 87 of the 150 seats available; (Liberal 74, National 12, Country Liberal 1), to Labor's 60 seats. Three independents were elected. To gain outright control of the House of Representatives, the ALP will thus require a net gain of 16 seats. Legislative elections were held in Australia on 9 October 2004. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ... In Australian politics, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) is the Northern Territory equivalent to the Liberal and National parties - the Country part of the partys name is a relic of when the National Party was called the Country Party. ... Australian House of Representatives chamber Entrance to the House of Representatives The Australian House of Representatives is one of the two houses (chambers) of the Parliament of Australia. ...


Labor thus requires a uniform national two-party swing of 4.8% to win the election. Swings are never uniform, but in practice variations of swing among the states usually tend to cancel each other out. While the popular view is that the election will be won or lost in Queensland, it is notable that there are only two Queensland seats on the list of key marginals, compared to six New South Wales seats and three South Australian seats.


Prime Minister John Howard's seat of Bennelong, which has been held continuously by the Liberals since its creation in 1949, is now a key marginal. This area of Sydney has undergone substantial demographic change, and a redistribution has recently reduced Howard's margin further. Indeed, much of Howard's territory is currently represented by Labor at the state level. Labor would also need to win the seat of Wentworth, which has existed since 1901 and never elected a Labor member. John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939), Australian politician, is the Prime Minister of Australia. ... The Division of Bennelong is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... The Federal Division of Wentworth is a foundation division of the Australian Parliament, created at the Federation of the Australian Colonies as the Commonwealth of Australia. ...


Labor's most vulnerable seats are Hindmarsh (0.1%), Swan (0.1%), Macquarie (0.5%), Cowan (0.8%) and Bendigo (1.0%). Cowan is considered particularly vulnerable because the popular sitting member, Graham Edwards, is retiring. The Division of Hindmarsh is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ... The Division of Swan is an Australian Electoral Division located in Western Australia. ... The Division of Macquarie is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... The Division of Cowan is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... The Division of Bendigo is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Graham Edwards Graham John Edwards (born 18 July 1946), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Cowan, Western Australia. ...


For a table showing all House of Representatives seats in order of two-party majority, see Mackerras federal election pendulum, 2006. The Mackerras federal election pendulum, 2006 shows the state of the major political parties ahead of the Australian general election, 2007. ...


Marginal seats

Both Labor and the Coalition hold 23 marginal seats: seats with two-party preferred margins of 6% or less. Since the 2006 redistribution, Labor-held Parramatta is notionally a Liberal marginal and Liberal-held Macquarie is notionally a Labor marginal. A marginal seat is a district or constituency held with a particularly small majority in a Parliamentary election conducted under a non-proportional electoral system. ...


In the table below, based on the Mackerras electoral pendulum, marginal seats are shown in the order they would fall, assuming a uniform swing. A uniform swing to Labor would deliver the party seats on the left-hand side. A uniform swing to the Coalition would deliver seats to the Liberals and Nationals on the right-hand side.

Notional marginal seats as of 2006 redistribution
Seat MP Party Margin Seat MP Party Margin
La Trobe, Vic Jason Wood Liberal 5.8% Corio, Vic Gavan O'Connor Labor 5.6%
Blair, Qld Cameron Thompson Liberal 5.7% Lilley, Qld Wayne Swan Labor 5.4%
Page, NSW Ian Causley National 5.5% Brand, WA Kim Beazley Labor 4.7%
Boothby, SA Andrew Southcott Liberal 5.4% Jagajaga, Vic Jenny Macklin Labor 4.4%
Corangamite, Vic Stewart McArthur Liberal 5.3% Brisbane, Qld Arch Bevis Labor 4.0%
McMillan, Vic Russell Broadbent Liberal 5.0% Capricornia, Qld Kirsten Livermore Labor 3.8%
Deakin, Vic Philip Barresi Liberal 5.0% Melbourne Ports, Vic Michael Danby Labor 3.7%
Dobell, NSW Ken Ticehurst Liberal 4.8% Lyons, Tas Dick Adams Labor 3.7%
Bennelong, NSW John Howard Liberal 4.0% Bruce, Vic Alan Griffin Labor 3.5%
Eden-Monaro, NSW Gary Nairn Liberal 3.3% Banks, NSW Daryl Melham Labor 3.3%
Lindsay, NSW Jackie Kelly Liberal 2.9% Rankin, Qld Craig Emerson Labor 3.0%
Moreton, Qld Gary Hardgrave Liberal 2.8% Lowe, NSW John Murphy Labor 3.1%
Solomon, NT Dave Tollner CLP 2.8% Chisholm, Vic Anna Burke Labor 2.7%
Bass, Tas Michael Ferguson Liberal 2.6% Ballarat, Vic Catherine King Labor 2.2%
Wentworth, NSW Malcolm Turnbull Liberal 2.6% Holt, Vic Anthony Byrne Labor 1.5%
Stirling, WA Michael Keenan Liberal 2.0% Isaacs, Vic Ann Corcoran Labor 1.5%
Hasluck, WA Stuart Henry Liberal 1.8% Richmond, NSW Justine Elliot Labor 1.5%
Parramatta, NSW[8] Julie Owens Labor -1.1% Adelaide, SA Kate Ellis Labor 1.3%
Braddon, Tas Mark Baker Liberal 1.1% Bendigo, Vic Steve Gibbons Labor 1.0%
Makin, SA Trish Draper Liberal 0.9% Cowan, WA Graham Edwards Labor 0.8%
Wakefield, SA David Fawcett Liberal 0.7% Macquarie, NSW[9] Kerry Bartlett Liberal -0.5%
Bonner, Qld Ross Vasta Liberal 0.6% Swan, WA Kim Wilkie Labor 0.1%
Kingston, SA Kym Richardson Liberal 0.1% Hindmarsh, SA Steve Georganas Labor 0.1%
MPs shown in italics are not contesting the 2007 election. See Mackerras federal election pendulum, 2006 for a full list of seats.


Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... The Division of La Trobe is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Bill Shorten outside Woods Boronia electoral office during the Dec1st anti-WorkChoices rally Jason Wood (born 24 May 1968), Australian politician, was elected to the Australian House of Representatives for the Division of La Trobe, Victoria for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Corio is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Gavan OConnor Gavan Michael OConnor (born 2 December 1947), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Corio, Victoria. ... The Division of Blair is an Australian Electoral Division situated in southeast Queensland. ... Cameron Paul Thompson (born 1 October 1960), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Blair, Queensland. ... The Division of Lilley is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Wayne Swan Wayne Maxwell Swan (born 30 June 1954), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1993 to March 1996 and again since October 1998, representing the Division of Lilley, Queensland. ... The Division of Page is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... Hon Ian Causley Ian Raymond Causley (born 19 October 1940),Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996 representing the Division of Page, New South Wales. ... The Division of Brand is an Australian Electoral Division located south of Perth, Western Australia and including the towns of Mandurah and Rockingham. ... For Kim Beazleys father, Kim Beazley senior, see Kim Edward Beazley. ... The Division of Boothby is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ... Dr Andrew Southcott Dr Andrew John Southcott (born 15 October 1967), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Boothby, South Australia. ... The Division of Jagajaga is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Jenny Macklin Jennifer Louise Jenny Macklin (born 29 December 1953), Australian politician, is Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party. ... Corangamite is an federal electoral Division in Victoria, Australia. ... Stewart McArthur Fergus Stewart McArthur (born 27 October 1937), Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives since February 1984, representing the Division of Corangamite, Victoria. ... The Division of Brisbane is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Hon Arch Bevis Archibald Ronald Arch Bevis (born 10 April 1955), Australian politician, has been a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives since 1990, representing the Division of Brisbane, Queensland. ... The Division of McMillan is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Russell Evan Broadbent (born 25 December 1950), Australian politician, was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as member for the Division of McMillan, Victoria for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Capricornia is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Kirsten Livermore Kirsten Fiona Livermore (born 10 November 1969), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Capricornia, Queensland. ... The Division of Deakin is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Phillip Barresi Phillip Anthony Barresi (born 8 August 1955), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Deakin, Victoria. ... Melbourne Ports is an Australian federal electoral division in the inner south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Michael Danby Michael David Danby (born 16 February 1955), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Melbourne Ports, Victoria. ... The Division of Dobell is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Ken Ticehurst Kenneth Ticehurst (born 22 January 1945), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Dobell, New South Wales. ... The Division of Lyons is an Australian Electoral Division in Tasmania. ... Hon Dick Adams Godfrey Harry Dick Adams (born 29 April 1951), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Lyons, Tasmania. ... The Division of Bennelong is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939), Australian politician, is the Prime Minister of Australia. ... The Division of Bruce is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Alan Griffin Alan Peter Griffin (born 23 February Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Corinella, Victoria 1993_96 and the Division of Bruce, Victoria, since 1996. ... The Division of Eden-Monaro is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Hon Gary Nairn Gary Roy Nairn (born 3 January 1951), Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Eden-Monaro, New South Wales. ... Banks is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Daryl Melham Daryl Melham (born 27 November 1954), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1990, representing the Division of Banks, New South Wales. ... The Division of Lindsay is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... Hon Jackie Kelly Jacqueline Marie Jackie Kelly (born 18 February 1964), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Lindsay, New South Wales. ... The Division of Rankin is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Craig Emerson Dr Craig Anthony Emerson (born 15 November 1954), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the seat of Rankin, Queensland. ... The Division of Moreton is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Hon Gary Hardgrave Gary Douglas Hardgrave (born 5 January 1960), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Moreton, Queensland. ... The Division of Lowe is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... John Paul Murphy (born 31 May 1950), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Lowe, New South Wales. ... The Division of Solomon is an Australian Electoral Division in the Northern Territory. ... Dave Tollner David Tollner (born 31 January 1966), Australian politician, has been a Country Liberal Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Solomon, Northern Territory. ... The Division of Chisholm is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Anna Burke Anna Burke (born 1 January 1966), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Chisholm, Victoria. ... The Division of Bass is an Australian Electoral Division northern Tasmania, Australia. ... This article is about the Australian politician. ... The Division of Ballarat is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Catherine King Catherine Fiona King (born 2 June 1966), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Ballarat, Victoria. ... The Federal Division of Wentworth is a foundation division of the Australian Parliament, created at the Federation of the Australian Colonies as the Commonwealth of Australia. ... Malcolm Turnbull Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954), Australian politician, was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in October 2004 for the Division of Wentworth, New South Wales, representing the Liberal Party. ... The Division of Holt is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Anthony Byrne Anthony Michael Byrne (born 1 December Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Holt, Victoria. ... Stirling is an Australian federal electoral division in the inner northern and beachside suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. ... Michael Keenan (born 19 March 1972), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Stirling, Western Australia for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Isaacs is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Ann Corcoran Ann Kathleen Corcoran (born 21 September 1951), an Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since August 2000 representing the Division of Isaacs, Victoria. ... The Division of Hasluck is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... Stuart Henry (born 21 June 1946), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Hasluck, Western Australia for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Richmond is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... Justine Elliot (born 29 July 1967), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Richmond, New South Wales for the Australian Labor Party at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Parramatta is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Julie Owens (born 17 October 1958), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 2004, representing the Division of Parramatta, New South Wales. ... The Division of Adelaide is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ... Kate Ellis MP in the House of Representatives. ... The Division of Braddon is an Australian Electoral Division in Tasmania. ... This article is about the Australian politician. ... The Division of Bendigo is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Steve Gibbons Stephen William Gibbons (born 11 September 1949), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Bendigo, Victoria. ... The Division of Makin is located in Adelaide, South Australia. ... Trish Draper Patricia Trish Draper (born 2 April 1959), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Makin, South Australia. ... The Division of Cowan is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... Graham Edwards Graham John Edwards (born 18 July 1946), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Cowan, Western Australia. ... The Division of Wakefield is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of South Australia. ... David Fawcett (born 23 October 1963), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Wakefield, South Australia for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Macquarie is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Kerry Bartlett Kerry Joseph Bartlett (born 15 April 1949) is an Australian politician. ... The Division of Bonner is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Ross Vasta (born 8 October 1966), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Bonner, Queensland for the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2004 federal election. ... The Division of Swan is an Australian Electoral Division located in Western Australia. ... Kim Wilkie Kimberley William Kim Wilkie (born 3 June 1959), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Electoral Division of Swan, Western Australia. ... The Division of Kingston is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ... Kym Charles Richardson (born March 16, 1958) is an Australian politician. ... The Division of Hindmarsh is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ... Steve Georganas (born 13 June 1959), Australian politician, was elected to the House of Representatives as member for the Division of Hindmarsh, South Australia for the Australian Labor Party at the 2004 federal election. ... The Mackerras federal election pendulum, 2006 shows the state of the major political parties ahead of the Australian general election, 2007. ...


Redistribution

Due to population shifts, Queensland gained a seat at the expense of New South Wales in a redistribution completed in September 2006 by the Australian Electoral Commission. In New South Wales, the Division of Gwydir in western NSW was abolished. A number of other seats were also substantially changed, including Parkes, Farrer, Calare, Macquarie, Greenway and Hughes. Macquarie was changed from a fairly safe Liberal seat to a marginal Labor seat, by the inclusion of Lithgow and Bathurst, while Parramatta was changed from marginal Labor to marginal Liberal. Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Peter Beattie (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd)  - Product per capita  $40,170/person (6th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  4,070,400 (3rd)  - Density  2. ... Capital Sydney Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Professor Marie Bashir Premier Morris Iemma (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 50  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $305,437 (1st)  - Product per capita  $45,153/person (4th) Population (End of March 2006)  - Population  6,817,100 (1st)  - Density  8. ... The term redistribution is used in Australia to mean a redrawing of electoral boundaries. ... The Australian Electoral Commission, or the AEC, is the federal government agency in charge of organising and supervising federal elections. ... The Division of Gwydir is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... The Division of Macquarie is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Lithgow is a city of approximately 18750 persons situated in central-west New South Wales, Australia and is also a Local Government Area. ... Bathurst is a regional centre in the state of New South Wales, Australia approximately 200km west of Sydney and is the seat of the Bathurst Regional Council Local Government Area. ... The Division of Parramatta is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ...


In Queensland a new Division of Flynn, named for the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Rev John Flynn, was created, based on Gladstone and running inland as far as Winton. This seat has a notional National Party majority of about 7 percent. [1] The Division of Flynn is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS, informally known as The Flying Doctors) is an air ambulance service for those living in the remote inland areas of Australia. ... Insert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text hereInsert non-formatted text here For other persons named John Flynn, see John Flynn (disambiguation). ... Auckland Inlet, with the Power House in the background Gladstone Marina, with the RG Tanna Coal Terminal (formerly Clinton Coal Facility) in the background Location of Gladstone in Queensland (red) Gladstone is an industrial port city located on the coast of Queensland, Australia. ... Location of Winton in Queensland (red) Winton is a town and Local Government Area in central west Queensland, Australia, located 177 kilometres northwest of Longreach. ...


The net effect of the proposed redistribution was thus to transfer a National Party seat from NSW (Gwydir) to Queensland (Flynn).


Retiring members

The following members of the House of Representatives will not be contesting the 2007 election:

Hon John Anderson John Duncan Anderson (born 14 November 1956) is an Australian politician. ... The Division of Gwydir is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... Categories: People stubs | 1946 births | Independent Australian politicians ... The Division of Calare is an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. ... For Kim Beazleys father, Kim Beazley senior, see Kim Edward Beazley. ... The Division of Brand is an Australian Electoral Division located south of Perth, Western Australia and including the towns of Mandurah and Rockingham. ... Hon Ian Causley Ian Raymond Causley (born 19 October 1940),Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996 representing the Division of Page, New South Wales. ... The Division of Page is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. ... Ann Corcoran Ann Kathleen Corcoran (born 21 September 1951), an Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since August 2000 representing the Division of Isaacs, Victoria. ... The Division of Isaacs is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Trish Draper Patricia Trish Draper (born 2 April 1959), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Makin, South Australia. ... The Division of Makin is located in Adelaide, South Australia. ... Graham Edwards Graham John Edwards (born 18 July 1946), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Cowan, Western Australia. ... The Division of Cowan is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... Kay Elson Kay Selma Elson (born 25 January 1947), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Forde, Queensland. ... The Division of Forde is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... Hon Warren Entsch Warren George Entsch (born 31 May 1950), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Leichhardt, Queensland. ... The Division of Leichhardt is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... David Jull David Francis Jull (born 4 October 1944), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since December 1975, representing the Division of Bowman, Queensland, 1975-83 and Fadden, Queensland, since 1984. ... The Division of Fadden is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. ... The Hon. ... The Division of Fremantle is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... Geoffrey Daniel Prosser (born 6 November 1948), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since July 1987, representing the Division of Forrest, Western Australia. ... The Division of Forrest is an Australian Electoral Division in Western Australia. ... Harry Quick Harry Vernon Quick (born 28 June 1941), Australian politician with the Australian Labor Party. ... The Division of Franklin is an Australian Electoral Division in Tasmania. ... Rodney Weston Sawford (born 26 June 1944), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1988, representing the Division of Port Adelaide, South Australia. ... The Division of Port Adelaide is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of South Australia. ... Robert Charles Grant Sercombe (born 3 April 1949), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Maribyrnong, Victoria. ... The Division of Maribyrnong is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Barry Wakelin Barry Hugh Wakelin (born 7 May 1946), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Grey, South Australia. ... The Division of Grey is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia. ...

Possibly retiring members

Other members of the House of Representatives who may retire at the 2007 election include:

  • Gavan O'Connor (ALP, Corio, Victoria) lost ALP preselection in 2006, but may recontest as an independent

Gavan OConnor Gavan Michael OConnor (born 2 December 1947), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Corio, Victoria. ... The Division of Corio is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ...

Preselection challenges

A number of members faced pre-selection challenges during 2006. These were:


Australian Labor Party

Liberal Party Ann Corcoran Ann Kathleen Corcoran (born 21 September 1951), an Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since August 2000 representing the Division of Isaacs, Victoria. ... The Division of Isaacs is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Mark Dreyfus Mark Alfred Dreyfus, QC (born 3 October 1956), is an Australian barrister who is the endorsed Australian Labor Party candidate for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Isaacs at the 2007 federal election. ... Michael Danby Michael David Danby (born 16 February 1955), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Melbourne Ports, Victoria. ... Melbourne Ports is an Australian federal electoral division in the inner south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Alan Griffin Alan Peter Griffin (born 23 February Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Corinella, Victoria 1993_96 and the Division of Bruce, Victoria, since 1996. ... The Division of Bruce is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... Harry Jenkins Henry Alfred Harry Jenkins (born August 18, 1952), Australian politician, has been a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives since February 1986, representing the Division of Scullin, Victoria. ... The Division of Scullin is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Gavan OConnor Gavan Michael OConnor (born 2 December 1947), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Corio, Victoria. ... The Division of Corio is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. ... The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the peak national body representing workers in Australia. ... Richard Marles (born 13 July 1967), Australian trade unionist, is the endorsed Australian Labor Party candidate for the Victorian federal seat of Corio, based on Geelong, for the 2007 federal election. ... Simon Findlay Crean (born 26 February 1949) an Australian politician, was leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition at the Federal level, from November 2001 to 2 December 2003. ... Hotham is an Australian federal electoral division located in the outer south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... Robert Charles Grant Sercombe (born 3 April 1949), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Maribyrnong, Victoria. ... The Division of Maribyrnong is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... The Australian Workers Union (AWU) is one of Australias largest and oldest trade unions. ... William Richard Shorten (born 1967), Australian trade union official, is National Secretary and Victorian state secretary of the Australian Workers Union (AWU), one of Australias oldest and largest unions. ...

Following the New South Wales and Queensland redistributions, there will be a further round of preselections in both major parties. Petro Georgiou Petro Georgiou (born 30 November 1947), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 1994, representing the Division of Kooyong, Victoria. ... The Division of Kooyong is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. ... Joshua Frydenberg (born 17 July, 1971) is an Australian banker and political aspirant. ... Stewart McArthur Fergus Stewart McArthur (born 27 October 1937), Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives since February 1984, representing the Division of Corangamite, Victoria. ... Corangamite is an federal electoral Division in Victoria, Australia. ... Hon Judith Moylan Judith Eleanor Judi Moylan (born 24 February 1944), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Pearce, Western Australia. ... The Division of Pearce is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Western Australia. ... Dr Dennis Jensen (born 28 February 1962 in South Africa), Australian politician, was elected to the Australian House of Representatives at the 9 October 2004 federal election for the Division of Tangney, Western Australia, for the Liberal Party. ... The Division of Tangney is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Western Australia. ...


Senate

Senate election, 2007
Party Seats held Term ending
Liberal 34 17
National 4 2
Country Liberal 1 1
Labor 28 13
Greens 4 2
Democrats 4 4
Family First 1 0

The governing Coalition parties—the Liberal Party of Australia, the National Party of Australia and the Country Liberal Party—together account for 39 of the 76-member Australian Senate, a majority. Family First's sole senator, Steve Fielding, has at times assisted the Coalition to pass legislation when other conservative senators have threatened to obstruct bills. The terms of 20 Coalition senators come to an end in 2008. Fielding's term runs until 2011. Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ... In Australian politics, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) is the Northern Territory equivalent to the Liberal and National parties - the Country part of the partys name is a relic of when the National Party was called the Country Party. ... The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is the Green political party in Australia. ... The Australian Democrats (in regular parlance, just the Democrats), is an Australian social liberal party formed in 1977 from the earlier Australia Party by Don Chipp, who left the Liberal Party of Australia to do so. ... The Family First Party is a political party in Australia, with policies that generally mirror socially conservative and family values. ... The Coalition in Australian politics refers to the grouping of two political parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922, with only brief breaks (e. ... The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ... In Australian politics, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) is the Northern Territory equivalent to the Liberal and National parties - the Country part of the partys name is a relic of when the National Party was called the Country Party. ... Australian Senate chamber Entrance to the Senate The Senate is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia. ... The Family First Party is a political party in Australia, with policies that generally mirror socially conservative and family values. ... Steven Fielding (born 17 October 1960), Australian politician, is parliamentary leader of the Family First Party. ...


The opposition Australian Labor Party has 28 senators. The terms of 13 of these Senators come to an end in 2008. Two of the four Australian Greens senators are up for re-election. All four Australian Democrats senators are reaching the end of their terms: the party faces the prospect of its parliamentary delegation being reduced to zero at the next election. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is Australias oldest political party. ... The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is the Green political party in Australia. ... The Australian Democrats (in regular parlance, just the Democrats), is an Australian social liberal party formed in 1977 from the earlier Australia Party by Don Chipp, who left the Liberal Party of Australia to do so. ...


The following Senators will not be recontesting the 2007 election:

  • Paul Calvert (Liberal, TAS): announced in April 2006 that he is "most unlikely" to recontest preselection but will serve out his term
  • Jeannie Ferris (Liberal, SA): The Australian retirement reported February 2006.
  • Rod Kemp (Liberal, VIC): announced in May 2006 that he would retire in 2007.
  • Sandy Macdonald (National, NSW): retirement reported January 2007
  • Kay Patterson (Liberal, VIC): has announced she will retire at the 2007 election
  • Robert Ray (ALP, VIC) did not renominate
  • Andrew Murray (Democrat, WA): announced retirement July 2006.
  • Natasha Stott Despoja (Democrat, SA): announced retirement October 2006.

The following Senators are facing re-election in 2007 and may retire: Paul Calvert Paul Henry Calvert (born January 19, 1940), Australian politician, is a Senator for Tasmania and the President of the Australian Senate. ... Jeannie Margaret Ferris (born 14 March 1941), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 1996, representing South Australia. ... The Australian (informally referred to as The Oz) is a national daily broadsheet newspaper published by Rupert Murdochs News Corporation. ... Charles Roderick Rod Kemp (born 21 December 1944), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 1990, representing Victoria. ... John Alexander Lindsay Sandy Macdonald (born 10 May 1954), Australian politician, has been a National Party of Australia member of the Australian Senate since July, 1993, representing the state of New South Wales. ... Kay Patterson Kay Christine Lesley Patterson (born November 21, 1944) has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since 1987, representing the state of Victoria. ... Robert Francis Ray (born 8 April 1947), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Senate since July 1981, representing the state of Victoria. ... Andrew James Marshall Murray (born 29 January 1947), Australian politician, has been an Australian Democrats member of the Australian Senate since July 1996, representing Western Australia. ... Natasha Stott Despoja Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja (born 9 September 1969), Australian politician, has been an Australian Democrats member of the Australian Senate for South Australia since November 1995. ...

  • George Campbell (ALP, NSW): will be 64 in February 2007 and is facing a preselection challenge

George Campbell George Campbell (born 18 February 1943), has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian Senate since September 1997, representing the state of New South Wales. ...

Polling

ACNielsen, Newspoll, and Morgan are the three established opinion pollsters for federal elections in Australia. ACNielsen polling, associated with the Fairfax newspapers is conducted monthly. Newspoll polling, associated with the Murdoch-owned The Australian is conducted fortnightly. Morgan polling oscillates between weekly and fortnightly readings. ACNielsen is a U.S. marketing research firm, based in Schaumburg, Illinois. ... Roy Morgan Research Corporate Logo Roy Morgan Research is an Australian market research company based in Melbourne, Victoria. ... John Fairfax Holdings Limited (ABN 15 008 663 161) is an Australian Public Company operating in the media industry, working predominantly with newspapers. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Australian (informally referred to as The Oz) is a national daily broadsheet newspaper published by Rupert Murdochs News Corporation. ...


ACNielsen and Newspoll polling is conducted via random telephone number selection in city and country areas. Roy Morgan polling is conducted face-to-face Australia-wide. Sampling sizes consist of 1000-2000 electors with a 2-3 percent margin for error.


ACNielsen polling in March 2007 showed 53% of respondents preferred Rudd as Prime Minister compared to Howard on 39%, and Labor on 61% of the two party preferred vote to the Coalition's 39%. Rudd's personal approval rating of 67% makes him the most popular opposition leader in 35 years. [10]


Newspolls since Kevin Rudd took over as Leader of the Opposition