Media Release 2005: Commissioner Issues Federal Electoral Determination

17 November 2005

A redistribution of federal electoral boundaries is required in Queensland and New South Wales. This follows a determination under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 of the number of Federal Members of the House of Representatives that each State and Territory will be entitled to at the next federal election.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell, today released the determination based on the most recent official population figures for the Commonwealth published and provided to him by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

"A redistribution is a redrawing of electoral boundaries to ensure as near as practicable, each State and Territory gains representation in the House of Representatives in proportion to their populations, and there are a similar number of electors in each division for a given State or Territory," Mr Campbell said.

"The figures show the population for Queensland has increased sufficiently to result in that State increasing its entitlement from 28 to 29 seats.

"At the same time, the entitlement for New South Wales will reduce from 50 to 49 seats. There will be a total of 150 seats contested at the next federal election for the House of Representatives."

Mr Campbell said the Electoral Commission would soon direct the commencement of the redistribution process in Queensland and New South Wales. Redistribution Committees will be appointed and the public will be invited to make suggestions and comments on matters affecting the drawing of federal electoral boundaries and the naming of divisions.

Redistribution processes usually take a number of months, and new boundaries for Queensland and New South Wales are not expected to be finalised until late 2006.

Attachment: Redistribution Backgrounder [PDF 117 KB]

Media contact:

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner
Australian Electoral Commission
Ph: (02) 6271 4477
Mob: 0413 274 798

Phil Diak
Director Media and Communication
Australian Electoral Commission
Ph. (02) 6271 4415
Mob: 0413 452 539