14 August 2000

The augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia has concluded its deliberations on the new boundaries for the 15 federal electoral divisions for Western Australia.

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 Western Australia has reviewed the proposed Redistribution of the State and considered all objections to the Redistribution Committee’s proposal, as well as material placed before it at a public inquiry held in Perth on 7 August 2000."

"Following these deliberations the augmented Electoral Commission has determined to adopt the proposal of the Redistribution Committee for Western Australia which was published on 26 May 2000, except for minor changes to adjust the proposed boundary between the Division of Pearce and the Division of Hasluck, as suggested in the objection of the Liberal Party and agreed by the Labor Party in its comments, and to unite the locality of Beechboro in the Division of Perth. "

"While considering the merit of changes proposed as a consequence of the objections, the augmented Electoral Commission reached the conclusion that the criteria of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 were satisfactorily met by retaining the majority of the proposals made by the Redistribution Committee."

"The augmented Electoral Commission resolved that the agreed changes are not significant and, therefore, the redistribution process has been concluded without the need for further objections or hearings."

The new boundaries for Western Australia will be shown on maps to be included with the Report of the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia that will be released in due course, and then tabled in Parliament. The report will contain a full explanation of the augmented Electoral Commission’s decision.

The new boundaries will come into effect for 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 Western Australia are:

The Chairman of the Australian Hon Trevor Morling QC
Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commissioner Mr Andy Becker
The Australian Electoral Officer for Mr Andrew Moyes
Western Australia
The Surveyor-General for Western Australia Mr Henry Houghton
The Auditor-General for Western Australia Mr Des Pearson

Further Information:

Mr Andrew Moyes Perth, Tel: (08) 9470 7220
Mr Wayne Seymour Canberra, Tel: (02) 6271 4688