Rodney – Victoria 2010

NAT 24.8%

Incumbent MP
Paul Weller, since 2006.

Geography
Northern Victoria. Rodney covers the town of Echuca and surrounding areas along the Murray River and running as far south as Heathcote, to the east of Bendigo. Rodney covers Campaspe Shire and parts of Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie. Rodney covers the towns of Echuca, Rochester, Nathalia, Cohuna, Heathcote, Gunbower, Kyabram, Rushworth and Stanhope.

History
Rodney has existed as a Legislative Assembly district since 1856. The seat has been held continuously by the Country/National Party since its emergence in 1917.

The seat was won in 1917 by John Allan of the Victorian Farmers Union, which became the Country Party. Allan became the party’s first leader, and served as Premier of Victoria from 1924 to 1927. He held his seat until his death in 1936.

Rodney was held by four other Country/National MPs from 1936 to 1989, when Eddie Hann resigned.

The 1989 by-election was won by Noel Maughan. He was re-elected in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2002, and retired in 2006.

The seat was won in 2006 by Paul Weller, a former President of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

Candidates

• Serena Moore (Family First)
• Ian Christoe (Greens)
• Gino D’Angelo (Country Alliance)
• Vanessa Langford (Labor)
• Paul Weller (Nationals)

Political situation
Rodney is a very safe Nationals seat.

2006 result

2006 two-candidate-preferred result

Booth breakdown
Booths in Rodney have been divided into four areas. Those booths in the Echuca area have been grouped, and the booths in the remainder of the seat have been divided into North East and North West along the Murray River on either side of Echuca, and South covering those booths to the south of Echuca.

As the final two-party-preferred vote in 2002 and 2006 was between the Liberals and Nationals, I have instead examined the primary votes for the three main parties.  The Nationals primary vote varied from almost 55% in the North West, 41.5% in Echuca, 37.6% in the North East, and a low 26.6% in the south. The ALP polled over 30% in the south, just under 20% in Echuca, and less than 15% in the northern parts of the seat. The Liberal vote varied from 37% in the northeast to only 24% in the northwest.