Division of Flynn
The Division of Flynn is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland.
| Flynn Australian House of Representatives Division | |
|---|---|
 Division of Flynn in Queensland, as of the 2019 federal election. | |
| Created | 2006 |
| MP | Ken O'Dowd |
| Party | Liberal National |
| Namesake | John Flynn |
| Electors | 103,056 (2019) |
| Area | 132,824 km2 (51,283.6 sq mi) |
| Demographic | Rural |
History
The division was created in 2006, following a redistribution of seats in the state. It was first contested at the 2007 federal election. The electorate generally extends west from the port city of Gladstone, as far as the Central Highlands town of Emerald. It was named after John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.[1]
Formation
In June 2006, the Australian Electoral Commission 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".[2] 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.[3]
Members
| Image | Member | Party | Term | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chris Trevor (1961-) |
Labor | 24 November 2007 – 21 August 2010 |
Lost seat | |
|
Ken O'Dowd (1950–) |
Liberal Nationals | 21 August 2010 – present |
Incumbent |
Election results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal National | Ken O'Dowd | 33,894 | 37.89 | +0.83 | |
| Labor | Zac Beers | 25,628 | 28.65 | −4.74 | |
| One Nation | Sharon Lohse | 17,531 | 19.60 | +2.45 | |
| United Australia | Nathan Harris | 3,798 | 4.25 | +4.25 | |
| Greens | Jaiben Baker | 2,744 | 3.07 | +0.30 | |
| Conservative National | Marcus Hiesler | 2,484 | 2.78 | +2.78 | |
| Independent | Murray Peterson | 1,994 | 2.23 | +2.23 | |
| Independent | Duncan Scott | 1,384 | 1.55 | +0.56 | |
| Total formal votes | 89,457 | 94.19 | +0.38 | ||
| Informal votes | 5,517 | 5.81 | −0.38 | ||
| Turnout | 94,974 | 92.15 | −1.16 | ||
| Two-party-preferred result | |||||
| Liberal National | Ken O'Dowd | 52,472 | 58.66 | +7.62 | |
| Labor | Zac Beers | 36,985 | 41.34 | −7.62 | |
| Liberal National hold | Swing | +7.62 | |||
References
- "Electoral seat named after flying doctors' founder". ABC News. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
- "Proposal for Queensland Federal Electoral Redistribution". Australian Electoral Commission. 23 July 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
- http://www.tallyroom.com.au/election-2010/flynn
- Flynn, QLD, Tally Room 2019, Australian Electoral Commission.