A snapshot of the Canning electorate

A SNAPSHOT OF THE CANNING ELECTORATE:

HISTORY

* Named after surveyor Alfred Canning (1860-1936) who pioneered WA's stock roads, rabbit-proof fences

* Since 1949, held by two National, four Liberal and three Labor MPs

* Liberal MP Don Randall, who died of suspected heart attack in July, held the seat the longest (15 years)

AREA

* Covers 6178 sq km

* Fifth-largest federal electorate in WA, 43rd largest nationally

* Spans from Perth's outer south metro to edge of Peel region

DEMOGRAPHIC

* 112,809 enrolled voters

* Gender split roughly 50/50

* Almost half of enrolled voters aged over 50

* 15 per cent aged over 70

* Less than 10 per cent aged under 24

INDUSTRIES

* Some heavy and light industry, bauxite mining, stone and citrus fruits, beef and dairy farming, market gardens, forestry

12 CANDIDATES IN 2015 BY-ELECTION

* Liberal - Andrew Hastie, former SAS captain

* Labor - Matt Keogh, dispute resolution lawyer

* Greens - Vanessa Rauland, Curtin University lecturer

* Palmer United - Vimal Sharma, businessman

* Liberal Democrats - Connor Whittle, draftsman

* Pirate Party - Michelle Allen, software development manager

* Australian Defence Veterans Party - Gregory Smith, former journalist and PR officer

* Animal Justice Party - Katrina Love, Stop Live Exports campaign manager

* Independent - Teresa Van Lieshout, former teacher

* Family First - James McCourt, reportedly a teacher

* Australian Christians - Jamie Van Burgel, unknown

* Sustainable Population Party - Angela Smith, environmental scientist

KEY BY-ELECTION ISSUES

* Drugs, in particular methamphetamine and its role in domestic violence and crime

* General security and law enforcement, including CCTV

* Roads and public transport, including rail

* Employment.