Your Guide to Wollongong's Federal Electorates

The Wollongong metropolitan area and the broader Illawarra region are represented by three federal electorates, each reflecting different aspects of the region's economic and community character. The Illawarra has a strong Labor heritage rooted in the steelworking and port communities that defined Wollongong for most of the twentieth century.

Division of Cunningham — the inner Wollongong electorate covering Wollongong CBD, Fairy Meadow, Thirroul, and the northern beach communities. Cunningham was held by the Labor Party until 2002 when it was won by the Greens in a by-election — one of the first Greens House of Representatives victories in Australian history. The seat has since returned to Labor but the Greens remain a significant vote in the inner-city Wollongong community.

Division of Whitlam — named in honour of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who held the predecessor seat of Werriwa, the Division of Whitlam covers the southern Wollongong suburbs, Shellharbour, and Kiama. The seat reflects the family suburban communities of the southern Illawarra and is a Labor electorate.

Division of Holt — the inland southwestern electorate covering portions of the Illawarra hinterland and the Wingecarribee Shire. Holt extends from the escarpment communities to the Southern Highlands and is named after former Prime Minister Harold Holt.

BlueScope Steel — BlueScope's Port Kembla steelworks is the most significant private sector employer in the Illawarra region and a major federal political consideration. Trade policy, energy costs, and the carbon emissions regulation framework directly affect BlueScope's competitiveness and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs it supports in the Illawarra economy.

University of Wollongong — the University's research and education employment is increasingly central to the Illawarra economy and federal education funding policy affects UOW directly through research block grants and Commonwealth Supported Places.

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