12 July 1999

The augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia has concluded its deliberations on the new boundaries for the 12 Divisions for South Australia, and has adopted the proposal of the Redistribution Committee for South Australia which was published on 21 May 1999.

The Chairman of the Australian Electoral Commission and presiding member of the augmented Electoral Commission, the Hon. Trevor Morling QC, said "The augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia has reviewed the proposed redistribution for the State, and considered the four objections to the Redistribution Committee's proposal. It formed the opininon that the issues raised in the objections were substantially the same as matters contained in the suggestions and comments to the Redistribution Committee and had, therefore, already been considered by that Committee in arriving at its proposal."

"The augmented Commission has concluded that the Redistribution Committee's proposal satisfies the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act, and accordingly has adopted, without change, the Redistribution Committee's proposal and the reasons for its proposal."

"The new boundaries for South Australia will be shown on maps to be included with the Report of the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia which is due to be released in August 1999, and then tabled in Parliament."

"The new boundaries will come into effect for the Referendum expected to be held in November 1999, and will also be used at the next federal election. However, any by-election which may occur before the next federal election will be held on the current boundaries."

The members of the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia are:

The Chairman of the Australian Hon Trevor Morling QC

Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commissioner Mr Bill Gray

The Australian Statistician Mr Bill McLennan

The Australian Electoral Officer for Mr Geoff Halsey

South Australia

The Surveyor-General for South Australia Mr Peter Kentish

The Auditor-General of South Australia Mr Ken MacPherson

Further Information:

Mr Geoff Halsey Adelaide Tel: (08) 8237 6555

Mr Wayne Seymour Canberra Tel: (02) 6271 4688