Vasse is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia. Vasse is based in the South West region of the state, is centred on the town of Busselton and is named for the Vasse River. It has at all times since its creation, and in its previous incarnation as Sussex, been a safe seat for the Liberal Party.

Geography

Always based around Geographe Bay and Busselton, the redistribution ahead of the 2008 state election expanded the electorate south to include large parts of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River which had formerly been in Warren-Blackwood prior to that district's abolition. Apart from Busselton and its suburbs, the Vasse district includes the towns of Vasse, Dunsborough/Quindalup, Yallingup, Margaret River, Cowaramup, Gracetown and Prevelly as well as part of Witchcliffe.

History

First created for the 1950 state election out of the former seat of Sussex, Vasse had just two members in its first 46 years. Liberal MP William Bovell served from 1950 to 1971 and he was succeeded by fellow Liberal Barry Blaikie. Bernie Masters inherited the seat from Blaikie at the 1996 state election. Masters' tenure was cut short when in 2004, he was denied Liberal Party endorsement for a third term in favour of then Shire of Busselton mayor Troy Buswell ahead of the 2005 state election. Buswell is best known for his short and controversial stint as Liberal Party leader from January until August 2008.

Members for Vasse

Member		Party	Term
	William Bovell	Liberal	1950–1971
	Barry Blaikie	Liberal	1971–1996
	Bernie Masters	Liberal	1996–2004
		Independent	2004–2005
	Troy Buswell	Liberal	2005–present

External links

• ABC Election Profiles: 2005 2008
• WAEC District Maps: 1996–2005 2005–2008 2008–