The seat was created in 1971, replacing parts of the abolished districts of Hamilton and Kahibah. It was held continuously by Labor until the 2011 election, when it was won by Andrew Cornwell of the Liberal Party. Cornwell became an independent and moved to the crossbench on 6 August 2014 after accusations at ICAC.[3] He resigned from parliament on 12 August 2014 after evidence of corruption was uncovered.[4] Jodie Harrison won the subsequent by-election.[1]