cottesloe is part of the federal division of curtin. from 1901 to 1968 and from 1974 to 1980 it was part of the fremantle electorate. curtin is regarded as a safe seat for the centre right liberal party, which has held the seat continually since its inception, with the exception of a period from 1996 to 1998 when former liberal member allan rocher held the seat as an independent. the current member is celia hammond. in the parliament of western australia, the legislative assembly electoral district of cottesloe is held by david honey, also of the liberal party.