Bendigo
Federal electorate · Victoria
Named after the city covered by the electoral division. The city is named after a Ravenswood shepherd who was nicknamed 'Bendigo' after an English pugilist, Abednego William Thompson.
Covers: The Division of Bendigo consists of: Greater Bendigo City, Mount Alexander Shire Council, part of the Campaspe Shire Council, part of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, and part of the Mitchell Shire Council.
| Enrolled voters | 120,088 |
|---|---|
| Area | 6,178 sq km |
| Demographic rating | Provincial – outside capital cities, but with a majority of enrolment in major provincial cities. |
| Established | 8 Oct 1900 |
| Name first used | 1901 federal election |
| Boundary gazetted | 17 October 2024 |
Current member
2025 federal election: two-candidate preferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Chesters ✓ | Australian Labor Party | 54,800 | 51.40 | +51.40 |
| Andrew Lethlean | The Nationals | 51,817 | 48.60 | +48.60 |
2025 federal election: first preferences
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Chesters ✓ | Australian Labor Party | 35,771 | 33.55 | -8.56 |
| Andrew Lethlean | The Nationals | 31,707 | 29.74 | +28.84 |
| Avery Barnett-Dacey | The Greens | 12,079 | 11.33 | -2.42 |
| Matt Evans | Liberal | 11,176 | 10.48 | -15.90 |
| Heather Freeman | Pauline Hanson's One Nation | 5,262 | 4.94 | -0.61 |
| Wayne Taylor | Legalise Cannabis Party | 3,666 | 3.44 | +3.44 |
| Evelyn Keetelaar | Family First | 3,153 | 2.96 | +2.96 |
| Rohan Tyler | Victorian Socialists | 1,708 | 1.60 | +1.60 |
| David Vincent | Independent | 1,121 | 1.05 | +1.05 |
| Matt Bansemer | Libertarian | 974 | 0.91 | +0.91 |
| Informal ballots | 6,228 | 5.52 | +1.74 | |
Candidate percentages are of formal votes; the informal share is of all ballots cast.
Results at each election
| Election | Elected | Party | Two-candidate % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 federal election | Lisa Chesters | Australian Labor Party | 51.40 |
| 2022 federal election | Lisa Chesters | Australian Labor Party | 62.11 |
| 2019 federal election | Lisa Chesters | Australian Labor Party | 59.04 |
| 2016 federal election | Lisa Chesters | Australian Labor Party | 53.74 |
| 2013 federal election | Lisa Chesters | Australian Labor Party | 51.26 |
| 2010 federal election | Steve Gibbons | Australian Labor Party | 59.53 |
| 2007 federal election | Steve Gibbons | Australian Labor Party | 56.13 |
| 2004 federal election | Steve Gibbons | Australian Labor Party | 50.96 |
Every contest for a division of this name since 2004, each on the boundaries in force at the time. The two-candidate figure is the winner's share of the final count.
Election figures and profile © Commonwealth of Australia (AEC), CC BY 4.0. Date established from the Parliamentary Handbook. ✓ marks the elected candidate.