The
Division of Bendigo is an
Australian Electoral Division in
Victoria. The division was created in 1900 and was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the
first federal election. It is named for the city of
Bendigo. In the early years of federation the seat consisted of little more than Bendigo itself, but on later boundaries the seat has included towns such as
Echuca,
Castlemaine,
Maryborough and
Seymour. Today it includes Bendigo, Castlemaine,
Kyneton,
Maldon, and Maryborough. Bendigo has always been a marginal seat, changing hands regularly between the
Australian Labor Party and the conservative parties. Bendigo has had 15 members, the second-highest number (with
Denison) of any federal electorate. Its most notable members have been its first member, Sir
John Quick, who was a leading federalist, and
Prime Minister Billy Hughes, who although from
Sydney represented Bendigo for two terms at a time when the federal Parliament met in Melbourne.
John Brumby, who held the seat from 1983 to 1990, later became Premier of Victoria.
Members
Election results
References
- , Australian Electoral Commission
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