Media Release 2003: Queensland Federal Electoral Redistribution

22 August 2003

The Redistribution Committee for Queensland today published details of the proposed new boundaries for federal electoral Divisions in Queensland.

The redistribution was achieved with minor changes to most rural Queensland electoral Divisions. However, some rural Divisions needed to increase in area to accommodate declining voter numbers.

High population growth, particularly in South-eastern Queensland has resulted in considerable changes in this area. The most notable change is the need for three complete federal Divisions to be located in the City of the Gold Coast.

Queensland's entitlement is now 28 federal Electoral Divisions.

The Committee proposes that the new division be named "BONNER" in honour of the late Neville Bonner AO. Mr Bonner, who was born on March 28 1922, was the first aboriginal person to be a member of the Federal Parliament. Mr Bonner was selected to fill a casual vacancy in the Senate in June 1971 and was subsequently re-elected in 1974, 1975 and 1980. Mr Bonner, an elder of the Jagera people, died on 5 February 1999.

The opportunity exists for individuals or organisations to lodge objections against the proposed redistribution. Written objections must be lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission by 6pm on Friday, 19 September 2003 at Level 7, 488 Queen Street, BRISBANE QLD 4001.

Information is available on the AEC's website www.aec.gov.au or from the AEC's Brisbane office at the above address.

Media Contacts:

Anne Bright
Australian Electoral Officer, Queensland
07 3834 3440
anne.bright@aec.gov.au

Phil Diak
Director Information
02 6271 4415
phil.diak@aec.gov.au