Division of Barker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Barker Australian House of Representatives Division
Barker (dark green) in the state of South Australia
Created	1903
MP	Tony Pasin
Party	Liberal
Namesake	Collet Barker
Electors	118,371 (2019)
Area	63,886 km2 (24,666.5 sq mi)
Demographic	Rural

The Division of Barker is an area in the south-east of South Australia. It's a special area that chooses one person to represent it in the Australian Parliament.

This division includes many towns. Some of these are Barmera, Berri, Bordertown, Keith, Kingston SE, Loxton, Mannum, Millicent, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Penola, Renmark, Tailem Bend, and Waikerie. It also covers parts of Nuriootpa and Tanunda.

The Division of Barker was created in 1903. It is named after Collet Barker. He was an explorer who explored the mouth of the Murray River in 1831.

Who Represents Barker?

The people of Barker choose a person to be their voice in the Australian Parliament. This person is called a Member of Parliament (MP). They work to make sure the needs of the people in Barker are heard.

Early Representatives

• Sir Langdon Bonython was the first person to represent Barker. He was a member of the Protectionist Party. He served from 1903 to 1906.
• John Livingston represented Barker for a long time. He was a member of different parties, including the Anti-Socialist and Nationalist parties. He served from 1906 to 1922.

Notable Members of Parliament

Over the years, several important politicians have represented Barker.

• Archie Cameron was a Member of Parliament for Barker from 1934 until he passed away in 1956. He was a very important person in Parliament. He even became the leader of the Country Party. He also served as the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is like the referee in Parliament, making sure debates are fair.
• Dr Jim Forbes took over after Archie Cameron. He was a Liberal Party member. He served from 1956 to 1975. Dr Forbes was a minister in several governments, helping to make important decisions for the country.
• Ian McLachlan represented Barker from 1990 to 1998. He was also a Liberal Party member. He served as the Minister for Defence. This role is very important for the country's safety.
• Tony Pasin is the current Member of Parliament for Barker. He has been serving since 2013.

Images for kids

• 

  A map showing the Division of Barker in South Australia.

• 

  A memorial to Collet Barker, the division's namesake.

• 

  Sir Langdon Bonython, the first representative for Barker.

• 

  John Livingston, who represented Barker for many years.

• 

  Malcolm Cameron, a representative for Barker from 1922 to 1934.

• 

  Archie Cameron, who served as Speaker of the House.

• 

  Dr Jim Forbes, a minister in several governments.

• 

  James Porter, who represented Barker from 1975 to 1990.

• 

  Ian McLachlan, who served as Minister for Defence.

• 

  Patrick Secker, who represented Barker from 1998 to 2013.

• 

  Tony Pasin, the current Member of Parliament for Barker.