Monaro ( ), also known as Maneroo (1856–1858), Monara (1858–1879) and Manaro (1894–1904), is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly of the Australian state of New South Wales. The member for Monaro has been Steve Whan of the Labor Party since 2023.
Monaro is a regional district in the south of the state, bordering both the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. It encompasses the Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council and Snowy Monaro Regional Council. Significant population centres include Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Braidwood, Cooma, Bombala, Captains Flat, Nimmitabel, Delegate, Bredbo, Michelago, Berridale, Jindabyne and Adaminaby.
History The electorate was created in 1856 for the First Parliament under the name Maneroo, derived from an Aboriginal name for the area, now spelt Monaro. It was renamed Monara for the second Parliament in February 1858. The spelling was changed to Monaro from 1877 until 1894. It elected two members between 1880 and 1894. In 1894, single-member electorates were introduced statewide and part of the electorate (including Bombala), was absorbed into Eden-Bombala. At this time the spelling was changed to Manaro.
The 1903 New South Wales referendum required the number of members of the Legislative Assembly to be reduced from 125 to 90; the district was expanded to include parts of Queanbeyan and the abolished seat of Eden-Bombala and the spelling reverted to Monaro. In 1913, it absorbed much of the electoral district of Queanbeyan, including Queanbeyan, which is its major city. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Goulburn, along with Bega. It was recreated in 1927.
Nationals member Nichole Overall made history in 2022 by being elected as the first female representative of the Monaro. Overall's husband was previously mayor of the City of Queanbeyan.
Members for Monaro First incarnation (1858–1920) 1856–1880, 1 member Member Party Term Daniel Egan None 1856–1859 Alexander Hamilton None 1859–1860 Thomas Garrett None 1860–1864 James Martin None 1864–1865 William Grahame None 1865–1869 Daniel Egan None 1870–1870 James Hart None 1870–1872 William Grahame None 1872–1874 Alexander Montague None 1875–1877 John Murphy None 1877–1880 1880–1894, 2 members Member Party Term Member Party Term Henry BadgeryNone1880–1885 Robert Tooth None 1880–1884 David Ryrie None 1884–1885 Henry Dawson None 1885–1887 Harold Stephen None 1885–1887 1887–1894 Thomas O'Mara 1887–1889 Harold Stephen 1889–1889 Gus Miller 1889–1894 1894–1920, 1 member Member Party Term Gus Miller 1894–1901 1901–1918 John Bailey 1918–1920 Second incarnation (1927–present) 1927–present 1 member Member Party Term William Hedges 1927–1941 John Seiffert 1941–1950 1950–1953 1953–1965 Steve Mauger 1965–1976 John Akister 1976–1988 Peter Cochran 1988–1999 Peter Webb 1999–2003 Steve Whan 2003–2011 John Barilaro 2011–2021 Nichole Overall 2022–2023 Steve Whan 2023–present
Election results
References