Division of Parkes


The Division of Parkes is an Electorates of the Australian [House of Representatives|Australian electoral division] in the state of New South Wales. Located in the northwestern part of the state, it is its largest division by land area at 406,755 , bordering both Queensland and South Australia.
Since its inception in 1984, the division has continuously been held by the National Party. Since 2025 its MP has been Jamie Chaffey.

History

The former Division of Parkes (1901–1969) was located in suburban Sydney, and was not related to this division, except in name.
The division is named after Sir Henry Parkes, seventh Premier of [New South Wales] and sometimes known as the 'Father of Federation'. The division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 October 1984, and was first contested at the 1984 federal election. The seat is currently a safe Nationals seat. It was substantially changed by the 2006 redistribution and is now considered by many observers as the successor to the abolished Division of Gwydir. As a result, the then member for Parkes, John Cobb, instead contested the Division of Calare. The current Member for Parkes, since the 2007 federal election, is Mark Coulton, a member of the National Party of Australia.
According to the 2011 census, approximately 78 per cent of the population within the division identify as Christian, more than any other electorate in Australia at that time.
The 2015 redistribution resulted in Parkes expanded westwards to cover the state's Far West, including Broken Hill. The seat previously lost this area to the Division of Farrer in the 2006 redistribution.

Boundaries

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.
The largest electorate in the state, it is located in the far north west of the state, adjoining the border with Queensland in the north and with South Australia in the west. Its largest population centre is Dubbo. It also includes the towns of Broken Hill, Dunedoo, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Walgett, Narrabri, Moree, Warren, Nyngan, Cobar and Bourke. Since the 2024 distribution, it has also included the towns of, and.
RedistributionMapInteractiveElectionsNotes
1984
11 October		1984
1987
1990
1992
31 January		1993
1996
1998
2000
31 January		2001
2004
20062007
20092010
2013
2016
25 February		2016
2019
2022
2024
10 October		2025