2 February 2000

Public suggestions and comments were invited today into the federal electoral redistribution process of the Northern Territory, following the recent determination that the Territory is entitled to an extra seat in the House of Representatives at the next general election

The acting Australian Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, invited all interested individuals and organisations to submit written suggestions and comments to the Redistribution Committee about the possible boundaries and names for the Territory's two federal divisions.

"Written suggestions must be lodged by 6pm on Friday 3 March in order for the Redistribution Committee to consider them in their proposed set of boundaries and names," Mr Becker said. Comments on suggestions will then be received until Friday 17 March.

In making its proposal, the Committee will consider the community of interests and means of communication and travel within the proposed Divisions; the physical features and area of the proposed Divisions; and the boundaries of existing Divisions in the Territory.

The redistribution was triggered following a determination by the Electoral Commissioner of an increased entitlement to representation in the House of Representatives due to population changes in the States and Territories. The Northern Territory is now entitled to two members in the House of Representatives, up from their current entitlement of one.

Mr Becker said that there was a range of information available to assist individuals and organisations in developing their suggestions.

"I urge all to take account of the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 which is available from Commonwealth Government Bookshops, and on the AEC's Internet website at www.aec.gov.au," he said.

"Details of electoral enrolment statistics for the purpose of the redistribution are available from the AEC's Northern Territory Head Office in Darwin, on (08) 8982 8020, and also at the the AEC's internet website. Information about the conventions used for naming Federal Electoral Divisions is also available."

All suggestions should be provided as an original with four copies and, where practical, any maps should be A4 size to facilitate copying.

Suggestions and comments must be addressed to the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory at:

2nd Floor AANT Bldg
79-81 Smith Street
Darwin NT 0800

or GPO Box 21
Darwin NT 0801

The Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory consists of the Electoral Commissioner (Mr Andy Becker A/g), the Australian Electoral Officer for the Northern Territory (Mr Paul Anderson A/g), the Surveyor-General for the Northern Territory (Mr Trevor Menzies) and the Auditor-General of the Northern Territory (Mr Iain Summers).

Further information:

Attached is a backgrounder on the steps in the redistribution process.

Paul Anderson, A/g AEO for the Northern Territory, Darwin Tel: (08) 8982 8001

Wayne Seymour, Federal Redistribution Secretariat, Canberra Tel: (02) 6271 4688

THE REDISTRIBUTION PROCESS

On 23 December 1999, the Australian Electoral Commission directed a redistribution of the boundaries for the House of Representatives' Electoral Divisions in the Northern Territory, following a determination of an increased entitlement to representation because of population changes.

Step 1 - Public suggestions

Before the Redistribution Committee makes its proposal, interested persons or organisations are invited to make a written suggestion about possible boundaries or names of Divisions. Suggestions must be lodged by 6.00 pm on Friday 3 March 2000.

Step 2 - Comments on the public suggestions

All the suggestions received will be available for public inspection from 9.00am on 6 March 2000 at the office of the Australian Electoral Officer for the Northern Territory. Any comments must be lodged in writing by 6.00 pm on Friday 17 March 2000.

Step 3 - Proposed redistribution

After considering all written suggestions and comments, the Redistribution Committee will make a proposed redistribution. Maps showing the proposed boundaries and names of Divisions will be published and exhibited at the office of the Australian Electoral Commission in the Northern Territory, at its Head Offices in all States, and Central Office in Canberra.

Step 4 - Objections to the proposed redistribution

Objections to the proposed redistribution can be lodged within 28 days. There is then a further 14 day period for lodgement of written comments on any objections.

Step 5 - Objections considered by the augmented Electoral Commission

The augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory will comprise the members of the Redistribution Committee plus the Chairman of the Australian Electoral Commission (the Hon. Trevor Morling QC) and the non-judicial Commissioner (Mr Bill McLennan, Australian Statistician). All objections are considered by the augmented Electoral Commission, which may hold a public inquiry into an objection.

Step 6 - The second redistribution proposal

After considering all objections and comments, the augmented Electoral Commission makes its own proposed redistribution.

Step 7 - Further objections

If the augmented Electoral Commission's proposed redistribution is significantly different from the Redistribution Committee's proposal, the augmented Electoral Commission will invite further objections.

Step 8 - Final determination

After considering all submissions, the augmented Electoral Commission will make a final determination of boundaries and names of the Electoral Divisions for the Northern Territory.