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THE POLL BLUDGER BARKER
Barker has existed since South Australia was first divided into single-member electorates in 1903, and has at all times included the south-eastern corner of the state that includes Mount Gambier, Bordertown and Keith. Like all South Australian seats, it was substantially altered when the 2004 redistribution cut the state's representation from 12 to 11, absorbing the Murray Valley/Riverland region from Wakefield and ceding the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island to Mayo. It has been in conservative hands at all times, becoming particularly safe after the expansion of parliament in 1949 removed its city territory around Glenelg. Patrick Secker came to the seat in 1998, succeeding first-term Howard government Defence Minister Ian McLachlan. | |