Where is the Division of Forrest?
Covering 6,545 sq km of the South West, Forrest is made up of six local government areas: Bunbury, Busselton, Augusta-Margaret River, Capel, Dardanup and Harvey. The division is classed as 'Rural' by the Australian Electoral Commission because it is outside the capital city and a majority of its voters are not located in major provincial cities.
Forrest is situated on the traditional lands of the Wardandi, Pibelmen, Minang, and Kaneang peoples, whose culture and connection to the land continue to shape its identity.
Forrest has a rich history and diverse landscapes. From the rugged Indian Ocean coastline and the towering karri forests to the vineyards of Margaret River and rolling hills of Harvey's dairy country, many people are attracted to South West because of its abundant natural beauty. Forrest boasts iconic landmarks such as Busselton Jetty, the Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses, and stunning surf beaches.
Agriculture, viticulture, forestry, fishing, mining, and tourism drive the local economy, while small businesses and creative industries thrive in towns and villages across the region.
The people of Forrest have elected 14 members of parliament since 1922 and have been represented continuously by the Liberal Party for the last 52 years.
Why is it called Forrest?
The federal division of Forrest was created in 1922 and is named after Sir John Forrest (1847-1918), the first Premier of Western Australia (1890 - 1901), an active member of the Constitutional Conventions that resulted in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia, and a foundation member of the House of Representatives in the first federal parliament (1901 - 1918) where he served as a cabinet minister. Born in Bunbury, Sir John Forrest was an explorer before becoming a politician and was the first Australian to be given the British title of Baron. A statue in his honour stands in Kings Park, Perth.
