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 | |
|---|---|
| Created | 1901 |
| Abolished | 1984 |
| Namesake | Darling 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
edit| Image | Member | Party | Term | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
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) |
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 | ||
| 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 deputy prime 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 |