Electoral district of Northcote

The Electoral district of Northcote is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It currently covers the suburbs of Fairfield Northcote and Thornbury on the northern bank of the Yarra River.

The seat has had only four members since its creation in 1927. It most famous member is former Premier John Cain while Northcote was also the seat for former state Labor leader Frank Wilkes.

Former ABC newsreader Mary Delahunty was elected in an 1998 by-election. As the electorate was safe for the Labor Party, the Liberals declined to nominate a candidate. However, partly due to the presence of a One Nation candidate, the Liberals took the unusual step of actively campaigning for the Australian Democrats, issuing a 'How to Vote Liberal' card which advocated voting Democrat, and then Premier Jeff Kennett also wrote to voters urging them to vote Democrat. [http://www.abc.net.au/vic99/electorates/data/profiles/northcote.htm]

While the law has since been changed stopping party campaigning directly for other parties, the fact the seat is safe for Labor has meant Liberals have often run dead allowing other parties, like the Greens in 2002, to become the main challengers to Labor.

Delahunty retired at the 2006. Fiona Richardson retained the seat for Labor despite some suggestions the seat may fall to the Greens. [http://www.pollbludger.com/vic2006/northcote.htm]

Members for Northcote

ee also

*Parliaments of the Australian states and territories
*List of members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly

External links

* [http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/NorthcoteDistrictprofile.html Electorate profile: Northcote District, Victorian Electoral Commission]
* [http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/state2002resultNorthcoteDistrict.html State Election 2002: Northcote District, Victorian Electoral Commission]
* [http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/state1999resultNorthcoteDistrict.html State Election 1999: Northcote District, Victorian Electoral Commission]