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Division of Casey
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The Division of Casey is an Australian electoral division in the state of Victoria. The division was created in 1969 and is named for Richard Casey, who was Governor-General of Australia 1965–69.
Key Information
The division is located in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne and extends into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. As of 2025[update], it covers the entire Shire of Yarra Ranges, with very small portions of Shire of Cardinia, City of Manningham and Shire of Nillumbik.
The current Member for Casey, since the 2022 federal election, is Aaron Violi, a member of the Liberal Party of Australia. His immediate predecessor is Tony Smith, who was Speaker of the House from 2015 through 2021, and was, after Bob Halverson, the second member for this electorate to occupy the chair.
Geography
[edit]Since 1984, federal electoral division boundaries in Australia have been determined at redistributions by a redistribution committee appointed by the Australian Electoral Commission. Redistributions occur for the boundaries of divisions in a particular state, and they occur every seven years, or sooner if a state's representation entitlement changes or when divisions of a state are malapportioned.[1]
When it was created in 1968, the division spanned from Wantirna and Bayswater in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to the south, to Kinglake in the Yarra Valley to the north. It also included the suburbs of Mitcham, Heathmont, Ringwood and Chirnside Park, and the towns of Warrandyte, Kangaroo Ground and Yarra Glen, but stoppping short of Healesville.[2] The areas in eastern Melbourne were previously part of the Division of La Trobe and the areas in the Yarra Valley were previous part of the Division of Deakin.
In 1977, the division was doubled in area size by expanding eastwards and including more of the Yarra Valley, but losing Mitcham, Heathmont and Wantirna to the Division of Deakin. The expanded areas in the Yarra Valley were previously in the Division of La Trobe and the expanded areas included Lilydale, Healsville and Marysville. This expansion was largely reversed in 1984, except Lilydale which remained with Casey, and the lost areas became part of the new Division of Streeton. In 1989, when Streeton was abolished, the division of Casey was expanded eastwards again and regained Healsville, but also gaining Warburton and Yarra Junction. It also included all of Shire of Upper Yarra, extending into national parks and stopping short of Mount Baw Baw and Thomson Dam in Gippsland. In 1994, this expansion was reversed again. However, the division also shifted south, losing almost all areas in the Yarra Valley, but gaining areas to the south such as Kilsyth and the Dandenong Ranges including Mount Dandenong and Monbulk. The division then remained like this until 2010 with only very minor boundary changes in 2003.[2]
In 2010, the division expanded into the Yarra Valley again and regaining Yarra Glen, Healesville, Yarra Junction and Warburton, but lost Croydon in eastern Melbourne to the Division of Deakin. In 2018, it expanded further south to include the remaining areas of Shire of Yarra Ranges previously in the Division of La Trobe, such as Belgrave and Narre Warren East. The division also became co-extensive with the Shire of Yarra Ranges. In 2021, it included the Shire of Cardinia towns of Clematis and Avonsleigh to the south, which was also previously in the Division of La Trobe. In 2024, it was slightly expanded to its north-west into the City of Manningham and Shire of Nillumbik to include Wonga Park and Christmas Hills. These were previously part of the Division of Menzies and Division of McEwen respectively.[2]
As of the 2024 redistribution, it covers an area of approximately 2,624 square kilometres (1,013 sq mi). It covers all of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, with very small portions of Shire of Cardinia (Clematis and Avonsleigh), City of Manningham (Wonga Park) and Shire of Nillumbik (Christmas Hills).[3] Major suburbs and towns include Avonsleigh, Belgrave, Belgrave Heights, Belgrave South, Chirnside Park, Christmas Hills, Clematis, Coldstream, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, Ferny Creek, Gladysdale, Gruyere, Healesville, Hoddles Creek, Kallista, Kalorama, Kilsyth, Kilsyth South, Launching Place, Lilydale, Lysterfield, Menzies Creek, Millgrove, Monbulk, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Powelltown, Reefton, Sassafras, Selby, Seville, Seville East, Silvan, Tecoma, Upwey, Wandin, Wandin East, Warburton, Wesburn, Woori Yallock, Wonga Park, Yarra Glen, and Yellingbo.[4]
History
[edit]
When it was created it was a highly marginal seat, and at the 1972 federal election it was regarded as the "litmus seat", which the Australian Labor Party had to win to gain government. Lost when the Liberals won in 1975, Labor picked it up again when Labor regained government in 1983. However, a redistribution ahead of the following year's election made Casey marginally Liberal. The Liberals retook the seat in that election and have held it since then. Demographic changes have also contributed in making Casey a fairly safe seat for the Liberal Party, although a redistribution ahead of the 2013 federal election pushed the seat further north into the upper Yarra Valley, estimated to halve the Liberal two-party preferred majority of 4.2 per cent.[5]
Prominent members to have represented Casey include Peter Howson, who served as a minister in the McMahon government; Bob Halverson, who was Speaker of the House of Representatives 1996–98; Michael Wooldridge, who served as Minister for Health in the first five years of the Howard government (1996–2001); and Tony Smith, Speaker from 2015 until 2021.[5]
Members
[edit]| Image | Member | Party | Term | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Peter Howson (1919–2009) |
Liberal | 25 October 1969 – 2 December 1972 |
Previously held the Division of Fawkner. Served as minister under McMahon. Lost seat | |
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|
Race Mathews (1935–2025) |
Labor | 2 December 1972 – 13 December 1975 |
Lost seat. Later elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Oakleigh in 1979 | |
|
Peter Falconer (1943–) |
Liberal | 13 December 1975 – 5 March 1983 |
Lost seat | |
|
Peter Steedman (1941–) |
Labor | 5 March 1983 – 1 December 1984 |
Lost seat | |
|
|
Bob Halverson (1937–2016) |
Liberal | 1 December 1984 – 31 August 1998 |
Served as Speaker during the Howard Government. Retired | |
|
|
Michael Wooldridge (1956–) |
3 October 1998 – 8 October 2001 |
Previously held the Division of Chisholm. Served as minister under Howard. Retired | ||
|
Tony Smith (1967–) |
10 November 2001 – 11 April 2022 |
Served as Speaker during the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison Governments. Retired | ||
|
|
Aaron Violi (1984–) |
21 May 2022 – present |
Incumbent |
Election results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Aaron Violi | 45,194 | 40.88 | +4.30 | |
| Labor | Naomi Oakley | 26,820 | 24.26 | −0.79 | |
| Greens | Merran Blair | 12,107 | 10.95 | −2.18 | |
| Independent | Claire Ferres Miles | 11,590 | 10.48 | +2.43 | |
| One Nation | Ambere Livori | 5,603 | 5.07 | +1.80 | |
| Trumpet of Patriots | Phillip Courtis | 3,716 | 3.36 | +2.65 | |
| Family First | Dan Nebauer | 3,154 | 2.85 | +2.85 | |
| Animal Justice | Chloe Bond | 2,379 | 2.15 | +0.36 | |
| Total formal votes | 110,563 | 95.60 | +1.75 | ||
| Informal votes | 5,089 | 4.40 | −1.75 | ||
| Turnout | 115,652 | 94.52 | +2.44 | ||
| Two-party-preferred result | |||||
| Liberal | Aaron Violi | 58,479 | 52.89 | +1.46 | |
| Labor | Naomi Oakley | 52,084 | 47.11 | −1.46 | |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +1.46 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ Muller, Damon (14 November 2017). "The process of federal redistributions: a quick guide". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c "Casey". Parliamentary Handbook. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Map of Commonwealth Electoral Division of Casey" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. October 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Profile of the electoral division of Casey (Vic)". Australian Electoral Commission. 26 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ a b Green, Antony (11 October 2013). "Federal election 2013: Casey results". ABC. Australia. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ^ Casey, Vic, 2025 Tally Room, Australian Electoral Commission.
External links
[edit]Division of Casey
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Geography
Boundaries and Composition
The Division of Casey encompasses 2,624 square kilometres in north-eastern Victoria, extending from the outer metropolitan suburbs of Melbourne into rural areas of the Yarra Valley.[1] Its boundaries include portions of four local government areas: Cardinia Shire Council, Manningham City Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, and Yarra Ranges Shire Council.[4] Following the 2023 redistribution, the division's boundaries were redrawn to reflect population shifts and were gazetted on 17 October 2024, taking effect for the 2025 federal election. Compositionally, Casey blends rapidly expanding suburban precincts in its northern reaches with semi-rural and agricultural lands to the east and south. Northern areas feature growth corridors around localities such as Whittlesea and Mernda, accommodating residential development amid proximity to Melbourne's urban fringe.[5] In contrast, the eastern extent incorporates the Yarra Valley's horticultural and tourism-oriented towns, including Healesville, Yarra Glen, Coldstream, and Seville.[6] Southern inclusions extend to parts near Emerald in Cardinia Shire, contributing forested and peri-urban elements, while northern and western fringes border divisions like Nicholls and Scullin, incorporating localities such as Panton Hill, Kangaroo Ground, Launching Place, Woori Yallock, and Diamond Creek environs.[6] This diverse geographical makeup supports a voter base spanning commuter suburbs, established townships, and rural holdings, with no single provincial city dominating enrolments.[4]Key Features and Economy
The Division of Casey covers an area of 2,624 square kilometres in Victoria's outer east, transitioning from densely populated suburban fringes near Melbourne to semi-rural and rural landscapes further east. Its terrain includes the elevated, forested Dandenong Ranges in the south, characterised by eucalypt woodlands, mountain ash forests, and cooler microclimates supporting native flora and tourism attractions such as the Puffing Billy Railway.[1] To the north-east, the division extends into the Yarra Valley, featuring undulating hills, the Yarra River catchment, and viticultural zones with over 150 wineries producing cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.[1] Notable natural assets encompass Kinglake National Park, with its tall wet forests and proximity to the Great Dividing Range, as well as areas vulnerable to bushfires, as evidenced by the severe impacts of the 2009 Black Saturday fires in regions like Kinglake and Marysville (adjacent).[1] The economy of the division reflects its urban-rural gradient, with western suburbs oriented toward commuter-based services and eastern areas supporting primary industries and niche tourism. According to the 2021 Australian Census, the top industries of employment for residents were construction (12.1% of employed persons aged 15 and over), health care and social assistance (10.5%), and retail trade (9.3%), underscoring reliance on building activity amid suburban expansion and service sector roles often tied to Melbourne's metropolitan economy.[7] Agriculture remains significant in rural pockets, including horticulture (e.g., fruit orchards in the Yarra Valley), livestock grazing, and emerging agritourism, while viticulture contributes to export-oriented wine production valued at hundreds of millions annually in the broader Yarra Valley region.[7] Local manufacturing and logistics hubs around Lilydale provide additional employment, though many residents (median commute time around 30 minutes) travel to industrial zones in adjacent electorates for higher-wage opportunities in advanced manufacturing and transport.[7] Unemployment stood at 4.5% in 2021, below the national average, driven by population growth and infrastructure projects like highway upgrades.[7]Demographics
Population and Growth
The population of the Electoral Division of Casey, according to the 2021 Australian Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, was 157,444 usual residents.[7] Of these, 49.5% were male and 50.5% female, with a median age of 40 years.[7] The division recorded 62,023 private dwellings, of which 56,307 were occupied, yielding an average of 2.7 persons per household.[7] From the 2016 Census to the 2021 Census, the division's population grew by 14,678 persons, an increase of 10.3% over the five-year period.[8][7] In 2016, the population had been 142,766, reflecting steady expansion driven by residential development in Melbourne's outer north-eastern suburbs.[8] This growth rate aligns with broader trends in peri-urban areas, where new housing subdivisions and infrastructure have attracted families and young workers.[9] The division's core overlaps significantly with the City of Casey local government area, which reported a 2021 Census population of 365,239 and is projected to reach 429,383 by 2025, underscoring the region's rapid demographic expansion.[9] Enrolment data from the Australian Electoral Commission indicates sustained voter growth, with formal votes in recent federal elections exceeding 120,000, consistent with a maturing electorate base.[10] Ongoing boundary adjustments, as part of periodic redistributions, have incorporated adjacent growing localities to balance enrolment quotas near the national average of approximately 130,000 electors per division.[1]Socioeconomic and Cultural Profile
The Division of Casey exhibits a middle-income socioeconomic profile, characterized by median weekly personal incomes of $809, family incomes of $2,204, and household incomes of $1,884 as of the 2021 Census.[11] Employment levels are robust, with a labour force participation rate of 65.2% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%, reflecting a stable suburban economy.[11] The workforce composition features a balance of skilled manual and professional roles, including 19.6% in professional occupations, 18.4% in technicians and trades workers, and 13.6% in management positions.[11] Key industries include hospitals (3.4%), primary education (2.6%), and other social assistance services (2.5%), underscoring reliance on public and health sectors.[11] Educational attainment is moderate, with 21.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding a bachelor degree or higher, 11.1% an advanced diploma or diploma, and 16.6% a certificate III or equivalent.[11] Housing patterns reinforce a family-oriented suburban character, with 93.8% of dwellings being separate houses and affordability relatively strong: 75.3% of mortgaged households spend 30% or less of income on repayments (median monthly mortgage $1,950), and 56.2% of renters do the same (median weekly rent $380).[11] The median age of 40 years, combined with 18.6% of the population under 15 and 17.6% aged 65 and over, indicates a mature yet growing family demographic in this outer metropolitan electorate.[11] Culturally, the division remains predominantly Anglo-Australian, with top ancestries reported as English (43.3%), Australian (39.3%), and Irish (11.4%).[11] Country of birth data shows 79.5% born in Australia, followed by England (4.9%) and New Zealand (1.2%), suggesting limited ethnic diversity relative to more urban electorates.[11] Languages spoken at home beyond English are minimal, with Mandarin (0.8%), Italian (0.7%), and Chin Haka (0.7%) as the most common.[11] Religious affiliation has shifted toward secularism, with 53.3% reporting no religion, followed by Catholic (15.2%), Anglican (7.8%), and unspecified Christian (3.7%).[11] Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples comprise 1.1% of the population.[11]| Key Socioeconomic Indicators (2021 Census) | Division of Casey |
|---|---|
| Median Weekly Personal Income | $809 |
| Median Weekly Family Income | $2,204 |
| Median Weekly Household Income | $1,884 |
| Labour Force Participation Rate | 65.2% |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% |
| Bachelor Degree or Higher (15+) | 21.4% |
History
Establishment and Naming
The Division of Casey was established on 20 November 1968 as part of a periodic redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Australia to reflect population changes and ensure equitable representation.[2] This followed the Australian Electoral Commission's determination of new divisions for the state of Victoria, with Casey's first election held in 1969.[12] The creation addressed growth in outer metropolitan and semi-rural areas east of Melbourne, incorporating suburbs and districts previously aligned with other electorates.[13] The division is named in honour of Lord Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey (1890–1976), a prominent Australian statesman who served as Governor-General from 1965 to 1969.[1] Casey, elevated to the peerage as Baron Casey of Berwick, had a distinguished career including terms as a Member of the House of Representatives for the Division of La Trobe from 1931 to 1940 and 1949 to 1960, as well as roles as Minister for External Affairs and Governor of Bengal during World War II.[2][14] His contributions to Australian diplomacy, engineering, and public service, including military honours such as the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross from World War I, underscored the rationale for commemorating him through an electoral division in his home state.[14] The naming reflects a tradition of honouring significant figures in Australian governance, particularly those with ties to Victoria.[2]Electoral Shifts and Boundary Redistributions
The Division of Casey has undergone periodic boundary redistributions since its establishment in 1969, in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, which mandates reviews to account for shifts in population and enrolment quotas ensuring approximate electoral equality across divisions.[15] These adjustments have generally expanded the division's footprint in Melbourne's outer eastern growth corridors, incorporating developing suburbs and semi-rural areas in the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia local government areas to balance enrolment numbers.[16] The 2023–2024 Victorian federal redistribution, triggered by the state's reduced House of Representatives entitlement from 39 to 38 seats following the 2022 determination under section 24 of the Australian Constitution, significantly altered Casey's boundaries among 34 affected divisions, with the abolition of the Division of Higgins redistributing its enrolments.[17] Finalized on 5 September 2024, the changes expanded Casey to include additional townships and rural localities previously aligned with neighboring electorates such as Indi and McEwen, enhancing its notional Liberal margin post-redistribution while maintaining its status as a contestable outer-metropolitan seat.[18][19] Electorally, Casey has exhibited volatility in early contests but stabilized as a Liberal-leaning marginal seat since 1984, with incumbents retaining it through successive elections despite two-party-preferred margins often below 5% amid swings tied to national trends in outer suburban voting patterns.[20] The 2022 election saw Liberal candidate Aaron Violi secure victory with a reduced margin following the retirement of long-serving MP Tony Smith, reflecting localized resistance to the national anti-Liberal swing.[10] Boundary expansions in the 2024 redistribution are projected to modestly bolster the Liberal position by incorporating more conservatively inclined rural and fringe enrolments, though the seat remains vulnerable to demographic growth in mortgage-stressed newer suburbs.[21]Representation
List of Members
The Division of Casey has changed hands multiple times in its early years, reflecting its marginal character, but has been held continuously by the Liberal Party since the 1984 election.[22][20] The following table summarizes the members and their terms:| Term | Member | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 1969–1972 | (Liberal incumbent) | Liberal |
| 1972–1975 | Race Mathews | Labor |
| 1975–1983 | Peter Falconer | Liberal |
| 1983–1984 | Alan Steedman | Labor |
| 1984–1998 | Robert Halverson | Liberal |
| 1998–2001 | Michael Wooldridge | Liberal |
| 2001–2022 | Tony Smith | Liberal |
| 2022– | Aaron Violi | Liberal |
Profiles of Key Figures
Peter Howson (1919–2009) served as the inaugural Member of Parliament for the Division of Casey from 13 December 1969 to 2 December 1972, representing the Liberal Party of Australia.[31] Prior to Casey's creation, he had represented the abolished Division of Fawkner since 1955.[31] During his tenure in Casey, Howson held ministerial positions in the McMahon government, including Minister for Air from March to December 1971 and Minister for the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts from December 1971 until the government's defeat in 1972.[31] He won the seat in the 1969 election with 27,390 votes, securing a margin of 5,015 over Labor.[23] Howson was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1972 for his services.[31] Charles "Race" Mathews (1935–2025) represented Casey as a Labor Party member from 2 December 1972 to 13 December 1975.[32] Elected during the Whitlam government's landslide victory, Mathews served one term before losing to Liberal candidate Russell Broadbent in 1975.[32] He later entered Victorian state politics, serving in the Legislative Assembly from 1979 to 1992 and holding portfolios such as Minister for the Arts and Minister Assisting the Minister for Community Welfare.[32] Mathews was known for advocacy in cooperative economics and labor history, authoring works on distributism and Spanish worker cooperatives. His federal service marked a brief interruption in Liberal dominance of the seat.[32] Anthony "Tony" Smith (born 1967) was the Liberal member for Casey from 10 November 2001 to 22 May 2022, serving seven terms.[30] He succeeded Lynne Kelly and retired prior to the 2022 election.[30] Smith held significant roles, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 2007 to 2008 under John Howard and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021 under the Turnbull and Morrison governments.[33] As Speaker, he presided over 2,341 sitting days and emphasized procedural fairness.[33] Earlier, he worked as a staffer for Prime Minister Howard and as a lawyer.[30] Smith's long tenure contributed to Casey's status as a safe Liberal seat until recent marginality.[30] Bob Halverson (1934–2011), a Liberal, represented Casey from 24 March 1990 to 31 August 1998. He served as Speaker from 1996 until his resignation in 1998 amid controversy over alleged bias toward the government.[34] Halverson's speakership focused on reforming parliamentary procedures to enhance opposition scrutiny.[34] Prior to federal politics, he was a businessman and RAAF veteran. His tenure as Speaker elevated Casey's profile in national parliamentary affairs.[34]Elections and Political Dynamics
Historical Results
The Division of Casey was created for the 1969 federal election and initially won by the Liberal Party's Peter Howson.[23] The seat changed hands multiple times in its early decades, reflecting its marginal status: Labor gained it in 1972, Liberals recaptured it in 1975, Labor won again in 1983, and Liberals secured it in 1984.[22] Since 1984, the Liberal Party has consistently held the division through subsequent elections, including narrow retentions amid national swings against the Coalition in 1993, 1998, and 2007.[20] This Liberal dominance persisted despite boundary changes and demographic shifts in the electorate's outer eastern Melbourne suburbs, with the party benefiting from strong primary vote support in semi-rural and mortgage-belt areas. In the 2019 election, Liberal incumbent Tony Smith secured re-election with a two-party-preferred margin of approximately 4.2%. Smith retired ahead of the 2022 election, but Liberal candidate Aaron Violi retained the seat against a national tide favoring Labor, underscoring Casey's resilience as a Liberal-leaning marginal.[35]| Election Year | Winning Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Liberal | Inaugural election; Peter Howson elected.[23] |
| 1972 | Labor | Gained by Labor.[22] |
| 1975 | Liberal | Recaptured by Liberals in Fraser landslide.[22] |
| 1983 | Labor | Won by Labor under Hawke.[22] |
| 1984 | Liberal | Regained by Liberals; held continuously thereafter.[22][20] |
| 2022 | Liberal | Retained by Aaron Violi post-Smith retirement.[20] |