Electoral district of Ripon

Ripon is a single member electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. It is a rural electorate based in western Victoria. In 1946 the Electoral district of Ripon was first contested but then abolished in the 1955 election after being held by Labor for seven of these years.[1] Ripon was re-created in 1976,[1] essentially as a replacement for Hampden.

Ripon Victoria—Legislative Assembly
Location of Ripon (dark green) in Victoria
State	Victoria
Dates current	1945–1955, 1976–current
MP	Louise Staley
Party	Liberal Party
Electors	47,774 (2018)
Area	16,761 km2 (6,471.5 sq mi)
Demographic	Rural
Coordinates	36°57′0″S 143°15′36″E

Ripon has an area of 16,761 square kilometres.[2] It includes the towns of Ararat, Avoca, Bealiba, Beaufort, Bridgewater on Loddon, Buangor, Cardigan, Carisbrook, Charlton, Clunes, Creswick, Donald, Dunolly, Eddington, Elmhurst, Glenorchy, Great Western, Inglewood, Landsborough, Lexton, Lucas, Marnoo, Maryborough, Miners Rest, Moonambel, Newbridge, Snake Valley, St Arnaud, Stawell, Stuart Mill, Talbot, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.[2] The main population centres are Creswick, Ararat, Maryborough, Avoca, Donald, Bridgewater on Loddon, St Arnaud and Stawell.[1] This district is known for agriculture, wine making, timber industries, manufacturing, wool production, paper milling, knitting mills and tourism.[2]

It has been held by the Liberal Party for most of its history; however, it was held by the Labor Party from 1999 to 2014. The 2018 result was the subject of a legal challenge by the second placed Labor candidate.[3]