William, I think the reopening of the Callide A Power Station and expansion of Callide B Power station would have resulted in an increase of the number of traditional Labor voters in Biloela which would have increased the Labor vote there in 2004.

We in SA are still waiting for our first PM, though Bob Hawke was born in Bordertown.

William, you mentioned the loss of Bruce Scott’s personal vote from those parts of the old Maranoa ( which makes up about a quarter of the seat).

Several towns such as Baracaldine, Longreach and Peak Downs were transferred from the Labor seat of Capricornia to Maranoa in 2004 but which have now been put into Flynn. In 2004, there were 2PP swings to Bruce Scott of 15.2% in Baracaldine ( the birthplace of the Labor Party); and 12.6% in Peak Downs, an interesting case study from last time of the loss of a personal vote ( and where the ALP didn’t seriously contest Maranoa).

I’m curious as to which other ungainly entities William might have been thinking of. I shall guess Pearce, Corinella, Longman and Blair.

Just looked at the Biloela 2006 census basic community profile; the employment stats are interesting with the biggest sectors in order: mining, manufacturing, retail; with 3% unemployment (compare to nearby Mt Morgan with 15%). The manufacturing is I think largely related to agriculture as Callide Valley is an intensive farming area.

Wish I could find similar stats for the whole valley but there doesn’t seem to be that sort of breakdown. I remember the farming community as quite an ethnic mixture especially german, italian, russian, and greek. Doesn’t show up in the stats for the town which is largely anglo-celtic. Quite a diverse farming community and not stereotype rednecks by any means.