Media Release 2003: Public suggestions invited into South Australia's Electoral Redistribution

Updated: 21 October 2010

5 June 2003

Members of the public are invited to submit suggestions concerning the redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in South Australia.

The Australian Electoral Officer for South Australia, Dr Christopher Drury, said that the Electoral Commissioner invited all interested individuals and organisations to submit written public suggestions and comments to the Redistribution Committee about possible changes to names and boundaries of federal Electoral Divisions in South Australia.

A redistribution is a redrawing of electoral boundaries to ensure that as nearly as practicable, each State and Territory gains representation in the House of Representatives in proportion to the State and Territory populations, and that there are a similar number of electors in each Division for a given State or Territory. On the basis of the latest population figures for the Commonwealth provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, South Australia is entitled to 11 Divisions or seats in the House of Representatives, one less than the current 12 South Australian seats.

The Redistribution Committee consists of the Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker, the Australian Electoral Officer for South Australia, Dr Chris Drury and two senior state government officials.

"Written submissions must be lodged by 6pm on Friday, 4 July 2003 in order for them to be considered," Dr Drury said.

"In making its proposal, the Committee will consider communities of interest and means of communications and travel within the proposed Divisions. The geographical and physical features of the Divisions as well as the boundaries of existing Divisions in South Australia will also be considered," Dr Drury explained.

Dr Drury suggested that individuals and organisations intending to submit suggestions should visit the AEC website www.aec.gov.au where a large range of information is available to assist them. Electoral enrolment statistics are available from the website or from the AEC's Adelaide office on 08 8237 6551.

Suggestions and comments must be addressed to:

Redistribution Committee for South Australia
9th Floor, AMP Building,
1 King William Street
ADELAIDE SA 5000

OR

GPO Box 344
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Background information on the redistribution process is below.

Media Contacts:

Chris Drury
Australian Electoral Officer, SA
Phone: (08) 8237 6551

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, has until 6pm on Friday, 4 July 2003 to lodge them in writing with the Redistribution Committee at 9th Floor, AMP Building, 1 King William Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000 or GPO Box 344 Adelaide SA 5001.

Step 2 – Comments on the public suggestions
The suggestions outlined in Step 1 above will be made available for public inspection on the AEC's website (www.aec.gov.au) by 9am on Monday 7 July 2003. Any comments on the suggestions must be lodged in writing with the Redistribution Committee by 6pm on Friday 18 July 2003.

Step 3 – Redistribution proposal
After considering the written suggestions and comments, the Redistribution Committee will propose a redistribution of Federal electoral boundaries for South Australia. 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 South Australia.

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 South Australia 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 South Australia.