Division of Banks

The Division of Banks is an Australian electoral division in the state of New South Wales. The division was created in 1949 and is named for Sir Joseph Banks, the British scientist who accompanied James Cook on his voyage to Australia in 1770. It has always been based in the south-western suburbs of Sydney, including the suburbs of Padstow, Panania, Peakhurst and Revesby.

The division includes the suburbs of Allawah, Blakehurst, Connells Point, Hurstville, Hurstville Grove, South Hurstville, Kyle Bay, Lugarno, Mortdale, Oatley, Padstow Heights, Peakhurst, Peakhurst Heights, and Penshurst, and parts of Bankstown, Beverly Hills, Carlton, Kingsgrove, Narwee, Padstow, Punchbowl, Revesby and Riverwood.

The current Member for Banks, since the 2013 federal election, is David Coleman, a member of the Liberal Party of Australia.

History

Up until 2013, it was held since its creation by the Australian Labor Party, but has grown increasingly marginal from the 1990s onward. It was almost lost in 2004, but the 2006 redistribution added areas to the west in Bankstown and Condell Park which strengthened the seat for Labor. These areas were lost in the 2009 redistribution, which pushed Banks into new areas in the east, around Hurstville. Long-term Labor member, Daryl Melham, was defeated at the 2013 federal election by David Coleman. Coleman became the first ever Liberal and non-Labor member of the seat, breaking a 64-year tradition.