Division of Holt

Since 1984, federal electoral division boundaries in Australia have been determined at redistributions by a redistribution committee appointed by the Australian Electoral Commission. Redistributions occur for the boundaries of divisions in a particular state, and they occur every seven years, or sooner if a state's representation entitlement changes or when divisions of a state are malapportioned.{{cite web |last1=Muller |first1=Damon |title=The process of federal redistributions: a quick guide |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/FederalRedistributions |website=Parliament of Australia |access-date=19 April 2022 |date=14 November 2017}}

When the division was created in 1968, it covered the areas of City of Springvale, City of Dandenong, the western portion of Shire of Berwick (later split off to become City of Berwick) and the northern portion of Shire of Cranbourne local government areas. It also covered small parts of the eastern portion of Shire of Berwick (later Shire of Pakenham) and the City of Frankston. It included the major suburbs of Springvale, Keysborough, Dandenong, Cranbourne and Berwick, and came short of the towns of Emerald and Cockatoo.{{cite web|url=https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Electorate/Holt/State/Victoria|title=Holt|website=Parliamentary Handbook|access-date=10 June 2025}}

In 1977, it was expanded south to meet Western Port, covering majority of the City of Cranbourne. It gained places from the Division of Flinders such as Langwarrin, Cranbourne South, Pearcedale, Tooradin and the western half of Koo Wee Rup, but losing Springvale and Springvale South. This expansion was reversed in 1983, along with the loss of many areas in its north east to the Division of La Trobe, including areas in the Shire of Pakenham and majority of City of Berwick. In 1989, it shifted into the north east again, regaining some areas in City of Berwick. It lost most areas south of the Princes Highway or the Pakenham railway line (except a portion of Narre Warren South) to form the new Division of Corinella. It also regained a portion of Springvale north of the railway line.

In 1994, Corinella was abolished, and the division expanded south and regained areas south of the Princes Highway or the Pakenham railway line, such as Keysborough and Hampton Park. In 2003, the division was shited south-east to regain Cranbourne, Cranbourne West and Cranbourne East, losing Dandenong and Keysborough. In 2010, it had a minor boundary change, losing a block of Narre Warren South. In 2018, it was shifted further southwards to meet Western Port again. It regained places such as Cranbourne South, Pearcedale and Tooradin (which were lost in 1983) from the Division of Flinders. At the north, it lost areas north of the Pakenham railway line such as Hallam, Endeavour Hills and Doveton to the Division of Bruce. In 2024, it had another minor boundary change, losing a block of Cranbourne North.

As of the 2024 redistribution, the division covers the southern half of City of Casey, sharing boundaries with the local government area along the west (Western Port Highway), the south (coast of Western Port) and the east.{{cite web|url=https://www.aec.gov.au/redistributions/2023/vic/final-report/files/maps-a4/2024-AEC-Victoria-A4-Holt-Final.pdf|title=Map of Commonwealth Electoral Division of Holt|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=October 2024|access-date=10 June 2025}}

File:Harold Holt 1964.jpg, the division's namesake]]

The division was created in the 1969 redistribution, and is named after former Prime Minister Harold Holt. Holt was a long-serving minister under successive governments led by Robert Menzies. Holt became Prime Minister upon Menzies' retirement in January 1966, although Holt would only serve less than two years before his disappearance off Cheviot Beach in December 1967.

Historically a marginal seat, over time the seat became safer for the Australian Labor Party. However, after the 2004 election it was again highly marginal due to voter backlash over the announcement that the proposed Scoresby Freeway would be a tollway rather than a freeway. The seat returned to its safe status following the 2007 election.

Its most prominent members include Michael Duffy and Gareth Evans. Both served as ministers under Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, though Evans was a Senator during that period. Evans also served as deputy under Kim Beazley from 1996 to 1998.

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{{main|Electoral results for the Division of Holt}}

{{Excerpt|Results of the 2025 Australian federal election in Victoria|section=Holt}}

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• [http://www.aec.gov.au/profiles/vic/holt.htm Division of Holt – Australian Electoral Commission]

{{Australian federal divisions of Victoria}}

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Category:Electoral divisions of Australia

Category:Electoral divisions of Australia in Victoria

Category:Constituencies established in 1969

Category:1969 establishments in Australia

Category:City of Casey

Category:Electoral districts and divisions of Greater Melbourne