Division of Darling Downs

The Division of Darling Downs was an Australian electoral division in the state of Queensland. The division was proclaimed in 1900, and was one of the original 65 divisions to be contested at the first federal election. It was named after the Darling Downs region of Queensland, and consisted mainly of the city of Toowoomba and surrounding rural areas. The seat was safely conservative for its entire existence, almost always held by the Country Party (now called the National Party), or the Liberal Party and its predecessors. Its prominent members included Sir Littleton Groom, Cabinet minister and Speaker, and Arthur Fadden, Prime Minister of Australia in 1941.

Darling Downs
Australian House of Representatives Division
Created1901
Abolished1984
NamesakeDarling Downs

The electorate's first member, William Henry Groom, died at the first Commonwealth Parliament meeting in Melbourne in 1901. His death led to Australia's first by-election, which was won by his son Littleton. The seat was abolished in 1984, being replaced by the Division of Groom, named after the aforesaid Littleton Groom.

Members

Image Member Party Term Notes
  William Henry Groom
(1833–1901)
Protectionist 30 March 1901
8 August 1901
Previously held the Legislative Assembly of Queensland seat of Drayton and Toowoomba. Died in office. Son was Littleton Groom
  (Sir) Littleton Groom
(1867–1936)
Protectionist 14 September 1901
26 May 1909
Served as minister under Deakin, Cook, Hughes and Bruce. Served as Speaker during the Bruce Government. Lost seat. Father was William Henry Groom
  Commonwealth Liberal 26 May 1909 –
17 February 1917
  Nationalist 17 February 1917 –
September 1929
  Independent Nationalist September 1929 –
12 October 1929
  Arthur Morgan
(1881–1957)
Nationalist 12 October 1929
7 May 1931
Lost seat
  United Australia 7 May 1931 –
19 December 1931
  Sir Littleton Groom
(1867–1936)
Independent 19 December 1931
August 1933
Died in office. Father was William Henry Groom
  United Australia August 1933 –
6 November 1936
  Arthur Fadden
(1894–1973)
Country 19 December 1936
10 December 1949
Previously held the Legislative Assembly of Queensland seat of Kennedy. Served as minister under Menzies. Served as Prime Minister in 1941. Served as Opposition Leader from 1941 to 1943. Transferred to the Division of McPherson
  (Sir) Reginald Swartz
(1911–2006)
Liberal 10 December 1949
2 November 1972
Served as minister under Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon. Retired
  Tom McVeigh
(1930–)
Country 2 December 1972
2 May 1975
Served as minister under Fraser. Transferred to the Division of Groom after Darling Downs was abolished in 1984
  National Country 2 May 1975 –
16 October 1982
  Nationals 16 October 1982 –
1 December 1984

Election results

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