Division of Wills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WillsAustralian House of Representatives Division |
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Division of Wills (green) in Victoria
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| Created | 1949 |
| MP | Kelvin Thomson |
| Party | Labor |
| Namesake | William Wills |
| Area | 57 km2 (22.0 sq mi) |
| Demographic | Inner Metropolitan |
The Division of Wills is an Australian Electoral Division of Victoria.
The division includes the northern Melbourne suburbs of Brunswick, Coburg, Pascoe Vale, Fawkner, Glenroy, and Essendon Airport. It was named after William John Wills, of the Burke and Wills expedition.
Members
| Member | Party | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Bryson | Labor | 1949–1955 | |
| Labor (Anti-Communist) | 1955–1955 | ||
| Gordon Bryant | Labor | 1955–1980 | |
| Bob Hawke | Labor | 1980–1992 | |
| Phil Cleary | Independent | 1992–1996 | |
| Kelvin Thomson | Labor | 1996–present | |
Wills has been one of the safest Labor seats in the country. It has been held by Labor except between the 1992 by-election and the 1996 federal election. During this time it was held by independent Phil Cleary. The seat was held by Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
The 1992 by-election is remarkable for a number of reasons. It was caused by Bob Hawke's retirement from parliament. A record 22 people stood for election. It was won by an independent, Phil Cleary. However he was on unpaid leave from the state education system and the Australian Constitution forbids people employed by the government from standing for election. No replacement by-election was held as the court decision which threw out the results was made shortly before a general election was due.
Election results
| Preceded by Wannon |
Division represented by the Prime Minister 1983–1991 Bob Hawke |
Succeeded by Blaxland |
Images for kids
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William Wills, the division's namesake
