Adam Carr's guide to
The 2007 Australian federal election
The House of Representatives
New South Wales
New South Wales
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Division of Lyne | Lyons |
| Lowe |
Division of Lyne | Lyons |
 Mark Vaile (Nat) His ministerial website and electorate website  James Langley (ALP) His ALP website |
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Location: North Coast NSW: Port Macquarie, Taree, Wauchope, Wingham Division named for: Rt Hon Sir William Lyne, Premier of NSW and member of the first federal Parliament Median weekly family income: $643 (148th highest) Persons born in non English speaking countries: 3.0% (140th highest) Persons in professional occupations: 24.1% (87th highest) Persons aged 65 and over: 20.3% (2nd highest) Couple families with dependent children: 32.1% (137th highest) Dwellings being purchased: 21.1% (118th highest) Sitting member: Hon Mark Vaile (National), elected 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004 Born: 18 April 1956, Sydney. Career: Farm machinery retailer, stock station and real estate agent and auctioneer 1978-92. Alderman, Greater Taree City Council 1985-93, Deputy Mayor 1986-87, 1991-92 and 1992-93. Chair Manning Valley Tourist Association, Chair Wingham Chamber of Commerce 1980-85. Minister for Transport and Regional Development 1997-1998, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 1998-99, Minister for Trade 1999-2006, Deputy Prime Minister 6 July 2005, Deputy Leader National Party of Australia 1999-2005 Leader of The Nationals from 6 July 2005 Minister for Transport and Regional Services from 29 September 2006 1996 two-party majority: National 15.4 1998 two-party majority: National 09.7 Effect of 2001 redistribution: 00.4 shift to National 2001 two-party majority: National 11.1 2004 primary votes: Labor 26.8, National 56.3, Green 4.8 2004 two-party majority: National 13.0 Effect of 2006 redistribution: 01.1 shift to National 2007 national two-party majority: National 14.1 2004 enrolment: 91,182 2007 enrolment: 86,784 (-04.8%) (new boundaries) Lyne was created in 1949, on the NSW north coast, running from Kempsey to Port Stephens. It has been cut back by successive redistributions as the coast has grown rapidly, and now consists largely of the Port Macquarie and Taree areas. Although it contains a number of farming communities, it is mainly a tourism and retirement area: only 5.3% of its population are engaged in agriculture, while more than 20% are aged over 65, the second-highest proportion of any electorate. This combination gives it the third-lowest median family income of any electorate. Lyne has been held by the Country Party and its successor the Nationals since it was created, although the last time there was a three-cornered contest it nearly fell to the Liberals. In 2004 the Nationals carried all but three booths, and polled more than 70% of the two-party vote in a number of small rural booths (78% in Kings Creek), and more than 60% in all six Port Macquarie booths. Labor polled 63% in Elands, and managed 40% in most booths in Kempsey and Taree. Mark Vaile won Lyne for the Nationals in 1993. Vaile has been rapidly promoted under the Howard government, entering Cabinet as Minister for Transport and Regional Development in 1997 and becoming Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister on the retirement of John Anderson in 2005. Although he struggled during the AWB scandal, he is the best leadership talent the Nationals have at present. This seat will be safe for the Nationals while Vaile is the candidate, but could be lost to the Liberals when he retires. Candidates in ballot-paper order Candidates on YouTube | 
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