Division of Murray

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Murray Australian House of Representatives Division
Division of Murray (green) in Victoria
Created:	1949
MP:	Sharman Stone
Party:	Liberal
Namesake:	Murray River
Area:	16,229 km² (6,266 sq mi)
Demographic:	Rural

The Division of Murray is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. It is located in the north of the state, adjoining the Murray River, which forms Victoria's border with New South Wales. It includes the towns of Shepparton, Echuca, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Boort and Bridgewater.

The Division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 May 1949, and was first contested at the 1949 Federal election. It was named after the Murray River, which itself was named after British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Sir George Murray. Murray has been in the hands of either the Liberal or National parties for its entire existence. It is currently the third safest coalition held seat in Australia, with a 20-point swing required for Labor to win it. It was first held by Rt Hon Sir John McEwen, who was the caretaker Prime Minister of Australia after the disappearance of Harold Holt.

[edit] Members

Australian federal election, 2010: Murray
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Sharman Stone	52,337	64.98	+2.91
	Labor	Hugh Mortensen	18,842	23.39	-0.72
	Greens	Ian Christoe	4,906	6.09	+3.14
	Family First	Serena Moore	2,958	3.67	+0.35
	Christian Democrats	Ewan McDonald	632	0.78	+0.78
	CEC	Jeff Davy	493	0.61	+0.36
	Secular	William Clarke-Hannaford	380	0.47	+0.47
Total formal votes			80,548	94.17	-0.59
Informal votes			4,986	5.83	+0.59
Turnout			85,534	94.81	-0.91
Two-candidate preferred result
	Liberal	Sharman Stone	56,666	70.35	+2.09
	Labor	Hugh Mortensen	23,882	29.65	-2.09
	Liberal hold		Swing	+2.09