Charlton – Election 2010

ALP 12.9%

Incumbent MP
Greg Combet, since 2007.

Geography
Charlton is centred on those parts of Lake Macquarie council area lying to the west of Lake Macquarie. Major centres include Toronto, Cardiff and Morriset. It also includes western parts of the City of Newcastle, including Wallsend and Elermore Vale.

Redistribution
Most of Charlton’s boundaries have remained steady since the 2007 election. The only change took place on its northern border, where Charlton had previously covered part of the Newcastle suburb of Lambton. The remainder of the suburb was transferred into Newcastle for the 2010 election.

History
Charlton was created as part of the expansion of the House of Representatives in 1984. It has always been held by the ALP, and was held by members of the same family for its first 23 years.

The seat was first won in 1984 by the ALP’s Bob Brown. Brown had previously held the state seat of Cessnock from 1978 to 1980, and the federal seat of Hunter from 1980 to 1984. He served as Minister for Land Transport from 1988 to 1993.

Brown retired in 1988 and was succeeded by his daughter Kelly Hoare. Hoare was re-elected in 2001 and 2004 but was challenged for preselection in 2007 by ACTU secretary Greg Combet, who was installed by the ALP’s national executive. Combet was elected in 2007 with 62.9% of the two-party-preferred vote. Since his election Combet has experienced rapid promotion through the ranks of the Rudd goverrnment and he now serves in the role of Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Candidates
Sitting MP Greg Combet is running for re-election. The Liberal Party is running barista John McDonald.

• Greg Combet (Labor)
• Ann Lawler (Citizens Electoral Council)
• John McDonald (Liberal)
• Ian McKenzie (Greens)
• Patrick Barry (Independent)
• Mitchell Pickstone (Christian Democratic Party)

Political situation
This is a very safe ALP seat and that doesn’t appear likely to change in 2010.

2007 result

2007 two-candidate-preferred result

Booth breakdown
Booths in Charlton have been divided into four areas. Booths in the Newcastle LGA have been grouped together in one area. Booths in Lake Macquarie council area have been divided into three areas named after the largest town in that area. Booths in the north of Lake Macquarie have been grouped together with Cardiff. Booths along the western shore of Lake Macquarie have been grouped together with Toronto. Booths in the south of the seat have been grouped together with Morriset.

The ALP won margins of of 63-7% in the Newcastle, Cardiff and Toronto areas, and around 55% in the Morrisset area.