# Division of Murray

The Division of Murray was an Australian Electoral Division in the state of Victoria. It was located in the north of the state, adjoining the Murray River, which forms Victoria's border with New South Wales. It included the towns of Shepparton, Echuca, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Boort and Bridgewater. In 2018 the division was renamed the Division of Nicholls, coming into effect at the 2019 federal election.

## History

The Division was proclaimed at the redistribution of 11 May 1949, and was first contested at the 1949 election. It was named after the Murray River, which itself was named after British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies Sir George Murray. It was first held by John McEwen, who briefly served as Prime Minister after the disappearance of Harold Holt, and subsequently became the inaugural Deputy Prime Minister under John Gorton. His successor in the seat, Bruce Lloyd, went on to serve as deputy leader to three successive Nationals leaders - Ian Sinclair, Charles Blunt and Tim Fischer.
Murray was in the hands of either the Liberal or National parties for its entire existence. At the time of its abolition, it was the third-safest coalition-held seat in Australia, with a 20-point swing required for Labor to win it.
In 2018 the division was renamed the Division of Nicholls, coming into effect at the 2019 federal election.

## Members

| Member | Party | Term | Notes |
| John McEwen (1900–1980) | Country | 10 December 1949 – 1 February 1971 | Previously held the Division of Indi. Served as minister under Menzies, Holt and Gorton. Served as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1968. Served as Deputy Prime Minister under Gorton. Resigned to retire from politics |
| Bruce Lloyd (1937–) | Country | 20 March 1971 – 2 May 1975 | Retired |
| Bruce Lloyd (1937–) | National Country | 2 May 1975 – 16 October 1982 | Retired |
| Bruce Lloyd (1937–) | Nationals | 16 October 1982 – 29 January 1996 | Retired |
| Sharman Stone (1951–) | Liberal | 2 March 1996 – 9 May 2016 | Served as minister under Howard. Retired |
| Damian Drum (1960–) | Nationals | 2 July 2016 – 11 April 2019 | Previously a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. Transferred to the Division of Nicholls after Murray was abolished in 2019 |

## Election results

2016 Australian federal election: Murray :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | National | Damian Drum | 31,105 | 35.34 | +35.34 |
| | Liberal | Duncan McGauchie | 28,194 | 32.03 | −29.38 |
| | Labor | Alan Williams | 13,188 | 14.98 | −5.76 |
| | Greens | Ian Christoe | 3,880 | 4.41 | +0.48 |
| | Country | Robert Danieli | 3,556 | 4.04 | +4.04 |
| | Independent | Fern Summer | 3,323 | 3.78 | +3.78 |
| | Independent | Andrew Bock | 1,467 | 1.67 | +1.67 |
| | Rise Up Australia | Yasmin Gunasekera | 1,195 | 1.36 | +0.73 |
| | Independent | Diane Teasdale | 1,037 | 1.18 | +1.18 |
| | Independent | Nigel Hicks | 844 | 0.96 | +0.96 |
| | Citizens Electoral Council | Jeff Davy | 227 | 0.26 | −0.10 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 88,016 | 91.16 | −2.51 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 8,530 | 8.84 | +2.51 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 96,546 | 92.51 | −2.04 |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | National | Damian Drum | 48,527 | 55.13 | +55.13 |
| | Liberal | Duncan McGauchie | 39,489 | 44.87 | −26.00 |
| | National gain from Liberal | National gain from Liberal | Swing | N/A | |