Media Release 2002: Victorian Federal Electoral Redistribution Commences

25 March 2002

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, today invited all interested individuals and organisations to submit written suggestions and comments to the Redistribution Committee about the possible changes to the boundaries and names for the 37 federal Electoral Divisions in Victoria.

"Written submissions must be lodged by 6pm on Friday 19 April 2002 in order for them to be considered," Mr Becker said.

In making its proposal, the Committee will consider the community of interests and means of communications and travel within the proposed divisions. It will also consider the geographical and physical features of the divisions combined with the boundaries of existing Divisions in Victoria.

The Committee consists of the Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, the Australian Electoral Officer for Victoria, Mr Daryl Wight and two senior state government officials.

There is a legislative requirement to conduct the redistribution as seven years have elapsed since the last redistribution in Victoria.

Mr Becker said, "there is a large range of information available to assist individuals and organisations in developing their suggestions." Further information is available from the AEC's website www.aec.gov.au. Electoral Enrolment statistics are available from the website or from the AEC's Melbourne office on (03) 9285 7134.

Background information on the redistribution process is attached.

Suggestions and comments must be addressed to:

Redistribution Committee for Victoria
Level 22
2 Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Or

GPO Box 768G
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

Media Contacts:

Steve Kennedy
Australian Electoral Commission
03 9285 7133
0413 271 211
steve.kennedy@aec.gov.au

Terry Rushton
Federal Redistribution Secretariat
02 6271 4468
terry.rushton@aec.gov.au

THE REDISTRIBUTION PROCESS

The redistribution is carried out in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The following steps briefly outline the various stages of the redistribution process.

Step 1 – Public suggestions
Any interested person or organisation who wishes to make suggestions regarding the possible changes to boundaries or names of Divisions, have until 6pm on Friday 19 April 2002 to lodge them in writing with the Redistribution Committee at Level 22, Casselden Place, 2 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 or GPO Box 768G Melbourne VIC 3001.

Step 2 – Comments on the public suggestions
The suggestions outlined in Step 1 above will be made available for public inspection by the Australian Electoral Officer for Victoria at Level 22, Casselden Place, 2 Lonsdale Street Melbourne from 9am on Monday 22 April 2002. Any comments on the suggestions must be lodged in writing with the Redistribution Committee by 6pm on Friday 3 May 2002.

Step 3 – Redistribution proposal
After considering the written suggestions and comments, the Redistribution Committee will propose a redistribution of Federal electoral boundaries for Victoria. Maps showing the proposed boundaries and names of Divisions will then be published in two newspapers and exhibited at all offices of the Australian Electoral Commission in Victoria.

Step 4 – Objections to the proposed redistribution
Objections to the proposed redistribution can then be lodged within 28 days. There is 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 Victoria considers all objections. The augmented Electoral Commission comprises 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 Dennis Trewin, Australian Statistician).

Step 6 – The second redistribution proposal
After it has considered all the objections lodged, 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 Victoria.