# Division of East Sydney

The Division of East Sydney was an Australian Electoral Division in New South Wales. The division was created in 1900 and was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. It was abolished in 1969. It was named for the suburb of East Sydney. It was located in the inner eastern suburbs of Sydney, including Darlinghurst, Paddington, Redfern, Surry Hills and Waverley. From 1901 to 1955 the division included Lord Howe Island. After 1910 East Sydney was usually a safe seat for the Australian Labor Party. In the 1930s it was a stronghold of Lang Labor. Its most prominent members were Sir George Reid, who was Prime Minister of Australia in 1904-05, and Eddie Ward, a long-serving Labor member and Cabinet minister.

## Members

| Member | Party | Term | Notes |
| George Reid (1845–1918) | Free Trade | 29 March 1901 – 18 August 1903 | Previously held the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney-King. Served as Opposition Leader from 1901 to 1904, and from 1905 to 1908. Resigned in protest against an electoral boundaries bill. Subsequently re-elected. Served as Prime Minister from 1904 to 1905. Resigned to become the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Later elected to the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square in 1916 |
| George Reid (1845–1918) | Free Trade | 4 September 1903 – 1906 | Previously held the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney-King. Served as Opposition Leader from 1901 to 1904, and from 1905 to 1908. Resigned in protest against an electoral boundaries bill. Subsequently re-elected. Served as Prime Minister from 1904 to 1905. Resigned to become the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Later elected to the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square in 1916 |
| George Reid (1845–1918) | Anti-Socialist | 1906 – 26 May 1909 | Previously held the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney-King. Served as Opposition Leader from 1901 to 1904, and from 1905 to 1908. Resigned in protest against an electoral boundaries bill. Subsequently re-elected. Served as Prime Minister from 1904 to 1905. Resigned to become the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Later elected to the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square in 1916 |
| George Reid (1845–1918) | Liberal | 26 May 1909 – 24 December 1909 | Previously held the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney-King. Served as Opposition Leader from 1901 to 1904, and from 1905 to 1908. Resigned in protest against an electoral boundaries bill. Subsequently re-elected. Served as Prime Minister from 1904 to 1905. Resigned to become the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Later elected to the British House of Commons seat of St George's, Hanover Square in 1916 |
| John West (1852–1931) | Labor | 13 April 1910 – 5 February 1931 | Died in office |
| Eddie Ward (1899–1963) | Labor | 7 March 1931 – 27 March 1931 | Lost seat |
| Eddie Ward (1899–1963) | Labor (NSW) | 27 March 1931 – 19 December 1931 | Lost seat |
| John Clasby (1891–1932) | United Australia | 19 December 1931 – 15 January 1932 | Died in office |
| Eddie Ward (1899–1963) | Labor (NSW) | 6 February 1932 – February 1936 | Served as minister under Curtin, Forde and Chifley. Died in office |
| Eddie Ward (1899–1963) | Labor | February 1936 – 31 July 1963 | Served as minister under Curtin, Forde and Chifley. Died in office |
| Len Devine (1923–2008) | Labor | 28 September 1963 – 29 September 1969 | Retired after East Sydney was abolished in 1969 |