Derwent – Tasmania LC 2015

Incumbent MLC
Craig Farrell (Labor), since 2011.

Geography
Southern Tasmania. Derwent covers the Derwent Valley, including New Norfolk, along with the northern Hobart suburbs of Brighton, Claremont, Bridgewater, Old Beach and Gagebrook.

History
Derwent has existed continuously since the first Legislative Council election in 1856. The seat has been won by Labor at all but two elections since 1961, holding the seat for 42 out of 54 years.

After one term held by Labor in the 1960s, and then two terms held by independent Joseph Dixon from 1967 to 1979, Labor’s Charles Batt won the seat in 1979. Labor has held the seat ever since.

Batt held the seat for three terms from 1979 to 1995, when he retired and was succeeded by Labor’s Michael Aird at the by-election. Aird had held a seat in the House of Assembly representing Franklin for all but one term from 1979 to 1995.

Aird retained Derwent at the regular elections in 1997, 2003 and 2009. Aird served in a variety of ministerial roles in both houses, including as Treasurer from 2006 to 2010.

Aird resigned in 2011, and the 2011 Derwent by-election was won by Labor’s Craig Farrell.

Candidates

• Alan Baker
• Craig Farrell (Labor)

Assessment
Craig Farrell is probably safe in Derwent, although there will be a minority of voters who will refuse to vote for a party candidate.

2009 result

2011 result

2011 two-candidate-preferred result

Booth breakdown
Polling places in Derwent have been split into three parts. A majority of voters live in two local government areas in the Hobart area, and polling places in this area have been split into Brighton, to the east of the Derwent River, and Glenorchy to the west. The remainder of the booths, in the Central Highlands and Derwent Valley council areas, have been grouped as “West”.

At the 2009 election, the vote for Labor’s Michael Aird ranged from 48.5% in the west to 55.7% in Brighton. Independent candidate Jenny Branch’s vote ranged from 30.1% in Brighton to 38.9% in Glenorchy. The Greens vote ranged from 12% in Glenorchy to 17.7% in the west.

At the 2011 by-election, Labor’s Farrell had a vote ranging from 37.4% in Glenorchy to 40.3% in Brighton. Jenny Branch again came second, with a vote ranging from 13.5% in the west to 27.2% in Glenorchy. Independent Ray Williams’ vote ranged from 14.7% in Glenorchy to 18.8% in the west. Deirdre Flint’s vote ranged from 11.2% in Glenorchy to 17.3% in the west.

2009 booth breakdown

2011 booth breakdown