Division of Mitchell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MitchellAustralian House of Representatives Division |
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Division of Mitchell (green) in New South Wales
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| Created | 1949 |
| MP | Alex Hawke |
| Party | Liberal |
| Namesake | Sir Thomas Mitchell |
| Electors | 97,663 (2013) |
| Area | 101 km2 (39.0 sq mi) |
| Demographic | Outer Metropolitan |
The Division of Mitchell is an area in New South Wales, Australia, where people vote for a representative in the Australian Parliament. It's like a special zone for elections. This area is named after Major Thomas Mitchell, who was a famous surveyor and explorer. He was one of the first Europeans to explore big parts of New South Wales and Victoria. The Division of Mitchell was first created in 1949.
Where is Mitchell Located?
The Division of Mitchell is in the north-west suburbs of Sydney. It includes several towns and areas like Baulkham Hills, Beaumont Hills, Bella Vista, Box Hill, Kellyville, Nelson and Winston Hills. It also covers parts of Castle Hill, North Rocks, Northmead, Maraylya, Rouse Hill and West Pennant Hills.
Who Represents Mitchell?
The people who live in the Division of Mitchell vote for someone to represent them in the Australian Parliament. This person is called a Member of Parliament (MP). Here are the people who have been the MP for Mitchell over the years:
| Member | Party | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roy Wheeler | Liberal | 1949–1961 | |
| John Armitage | Labor | 1961–1963 | |
| Les Irwin | Liberal | 1963–1972 | |
| Alfred Ashley-Brown | Labor | 1972–1974 | |
| Alan Cadman | Liberal | 1974–2007 | |
| Alex Hawke | Liberal | 2007–present | |
What is a "Safe Seat"?
After the 2013 federal election, Mitchell became known as a "safe seat" for the Liberal Party. This means that the Liberal Party usually wins the election in this area by a very large number of votes. It would be very difficult for another party, like the Labor Party, to win this seat.
