The division was created in 1949 and included the whole of the city of Canberra and surrounding rural areas.

However, until 1966 he could only vote on matters relating to the ACT and did not count for the purposes of forming government.

In 1966, full voting rights were granted.

[1] For most of its history it was a fairly safe seat for the Australian Labor Party.

The last member for the united division, Kep Enderby, transferred to Canberra.