Oxley was created in 1920, with the introduction of
proportional representation, replacing
Gloucester and
Raleigh, and elected three members. It was named after
John Oxley. In 1927 it was divided into the single-member electorates of Oxley, Gloucester and Raleigh. In 1988 it was abolished and replaced by
Port Macquarie. It was recreated in 1991. Oxley is one of three original (post 1927 redistribution) electorates to have never been held by the
Labor Party, the other districts being
Tamworth and
Upper Hunter. The National Party has held the seat since its current incarnation was created in 1991. At the 2007 election it included most of
Bellingen Shire (including
Bellingen and
Dorrigo),
Nambucca Shire (including
Nambucca Heads,
Macksville and
Bowraville),
Kempsey Shire, some of inland
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, including
Wauchope, the lightly inhabited northwest of the
Mid-Coast Council, and the lightly inhabited eastern fringe of
Walcha Shire and
Armidale Regional Council. The next redistribution taking effect at the
2015 state election redrew Oxley to contain the entirety of
Bellingen Shire,
Nambucca Shire,
Kempsey Shire and a large inland component of
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Its significant population centres include
Bellingen,
Nambucca Heads,
Macksville,
Kempsey and
Wauchope. ==Members for Oxley==