The electorate of Menzies is named after former Liberal Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. He was fundamental in the creation of the Liberal Party of Australia.
Location
- Outer Metropolitan Region
Size of Electorate
- 184km2
- 98,857 voters
Councils
Parts of:
- Manningham
- Maroondah
- Nillumbik
Suburbs in the Electorate
The seat of Menzies was rezoned in 2018 to include the suburbs of North Warrandyte, research, Eltham and Kangaroo Ground, coming from the Jagajaga electorate.
These suburbs joined Doncaster, Templestowe, Lower Plenty, Bulleen, Donvale, Park Orchards and Warranwood in the Menzies electorate.
Current MP
Kevin Andrews, Liberal, 1991-
Andrews has been described as a conservative warrior having held portfolios such as defence, immigration and citizenship and social services.
History of the Seat
The Menzies electorate has been a Liberal stronghold since 1984.
What Happened at the 2016 Election?
Andrews won the 2016 election with a comfortable eight per cent two-party margin. Interestingly, Labor managed a four-point swing once voting concluded.
What’s likely to happen at the 2019 Election?
With 21,000 new voters entering the electorate, uncertainty clouds the typically Liberal held seat. Notably, the Jagajaga electorate from which the new voters have come, has been held by Labor since 1984.
Despite being just 10 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, a majority of the electorate relies on buses for their public transport . Traffic congestion is also a major issue in the area, so public transport infrastructure and road upgrades will dominate policy.
The Labor-proposed retirement tax is also set to gain a lot of attention in the lead-up to the election with around 20 per cent of Menzies electorate aged over 65.
The ABC expects Andrews will hold this seat for a 10th consecutive term, however, he will face tough competition from Labor candidate Stella Yee, considering the re-zoning and bad polling for the Liberal party.
