Adam Carr's guide to
The 2007 Australian federal election

The House of Representatives

Queensland
Fadden                

Division of Fairfax

                Farrer


Alex Somlyay (Lib)
His Liberal Party website


Debbie Blumel (ALP)
Her ALP website and
her campaign website



Janette Hashemi (Dem)
Her Democrats
website


David Norris (Grn)
His Greens website


Kevin Savage (ON)
His One Nation website


Lisa Woods (FF)
Her Family First website		 Location: North of Brisbane: Coolum, Maroochydore, Nambour, Yandina
Division named for: Ruth Fairfax, a founder of the Country Women's Association
Median weekly family income: $712 (138th highest)
Persons born in non English speaking countries: 4.9% (109th highest)
Persons in professional occupations: 22.8% (100th highest)
Persons employed in tourism: 7.2% (14th highest)
Persons aged 65 and over: 16.1% (23rd highest)
Couple families with dependent children: 35.0% (116th highest)
Dwellings being purchased: 25.0% (81st highest)
Sitting member: Hon Alex Somlyay (Liberal), elected 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004
Born: 18 January 1946, Hungary. Career: Public servant, consultant economist, company director, senior Private Secretary to Hon Evan Adermann MHR. Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry 1992-94. Secretary to Shadow Cabinet 1992-93, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition 1993-94. Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government 1997-98.
1996 two-party majority: Liberal 18.1
Effect of 1998 redistribution: 00.4 shift to Labor
1998 two-party majority: Liberal 04.4
2001 two-party majority: Liberal 09.2
Effect of 2004 redistribution: 00.3 shift to Liberal
2004 primary votes: Labor 27.1, Liberal 52.3, Green 10.1
2004 two-party majority: Liberal 10.8
Effect of 2006 redistribution: 02.5 shift to Liberal
2007 notional two-party majority: Liberal 13.3
2004 enrolment: 84,401
2007 enrolment: 90,231 (+06.9%) (new boundaries)
Fairfax was created in 1984, in the northern part of the Sunshine Coast, the fast-growing tourism and retirement region north of Brisbane. Until 2006 it was centred on Noosa, but the 2006 redistibution has moved the seat south and it is now based on Maroochydore and Nambour. The dominant industry is now tourism. The electorate has among the lowest median family income levels of any seat, reflecting the large population of retired people, and also the low proportions of people in professional occupations and of people born in non English speaking countries typical of seats of this kind, particularly in Queensland. In 2004 the Liberals polled 72% of the two-party vote in Peregian Springs, and carried every booth in Nambour and Maroochydore, while Labor carried only three booths. The seat has always been safe for the non-Labor parties, shifting from National to Liberal in 1990 when the Nationals made an ill-advised attempt to install John Stone, the former head of the Treasury and a candidate with no local standing. Alex Somlyay (Liberal) has held the seat since 1990. Somlyay had a brief spell as a junior minister. He is now 61 but is seeking another term.
Candidates in ballot-paper order
  • Kevin Watt (CEC) is an organiser.
  • Janette Hashemi (Democrats) is a horticulturalist and researcher.
  • David Norris (Greens) electrical fitter mechanic.
  • Kevin Savage (One Nation) is retired.
  • Debbie Blumel (Labor) has worked in health, disability services and human services for over 25 years.
  • Max Phillips (Independent) is a contractor.
  • Alex Somlyay (Liberal) is the sitting member: see biography above.























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    Two-party vote by booth, 2004 Click to enlarge map

    Two-party swing by booth, 2004 Click to enlarge map

    Members for Fairfax


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