29 March 1999

The Australian Electoral Officer for New South Wales, Ms Frances Howat today reminded members of the public that they have until Friday 16 April to make written suggestions on the redistribution of the federal electoral boundaries of New South Wales.

The federal redistribution process currently underway in New South Wales commenced earlier this year as the State was last redistributed in 1992, and electoral law requires that a redistribution is carried out at least every seven years.

A redistribution is the redrawing of electoral boundaries to ensure that there are, as near as possible, the same number of people in each electoral division. New South Wales will continue to have 50 federal electoral divisions.

Ms Howat, a member of the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales, said that individuals and organisations were able to make suggestions on name and boundary changes for the federal electoral divisions in the State.

"Written suggestions on name and boundary changes were first invited on 17 March 1999, and can be lodged with the Redistribution Committee up until 6.00pm on Friday 16 April 1999," she said.

"Information on electoral law requirements, enrolment data and current divisional boundaries is available to assist people in making their suggestions.

"This information can be accessed on the AEC Internet web site or by ringing (02) 9375 6302."

Suggestions must be lodged with the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales at the following address:

Redistribution Committee for New South Wales
6th Floor Roden Cutler House
24 Campbell Street, Sydney,

or posted to Locked Bag 21, Haymarket NSW 1240.

Media contact:
Frances Howat
Australian Electoral Officer for NSW
Ph. (02) 9375 6333

For further background reading Electoral Newsfile No.80 'The 1999 redistribution process commences' is available under publications on the Internet web site or by ringing the AEC on (02) 9375 6302.