3 February 2006

The Australian Electoral Commission invites the public to submit suggestions into the redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Queensland.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell, asks all interested individuals and organisations to provide written suggestions and comments to the Redistribution Committee about possible changes to the names and boundaries for 29 federal electoral divisions in Queensland. This state currently has 28 seats.

Members of the Committee include the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer (State Manager) for Queensland, Ms Anne Bright. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 also requires that the State Surveyor-General and State Auditor-General or their equivalent officer bearers participate on the Committee.

“Written submissions must be lodged with the Redistribution Committee by 6.00pm on Friday, 3 March 2006 to allow them to be considered,” Mr Campbell said.

“In making its proposal about the redrawing of electoral boundaries, 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, combined with the boundaries of existing divisions in Queensland will also be considered”, added Mr Campbell.

Those individuals and organisations intending to submit suggestions should visit the AEC website www.aec.gov.au for further information about the redistribution process. Suggestions and comments must be addressed to:

Redistribution Committee for Queensland 488 Queen Street BRISBANE QLD 4000

OR

GPO Box 2590 BRISBANE QLD 4001

The Committee will continue its consultation process by making all suggestions received available for public inspection and comment at its AEC State Office and on the AEC website from 6 March 2006. The public have until 6pm AEST on 17 March 2006 to lodge any written comments they may have on the suggestions made.

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

Further background information on the redistribution process is attached.

Media Contacts:

Media contacts: Brien Hallett Assistant Commissioner Communication Branch Ph: 02 6271 4477

Anne Bright State Manager AEC Queensland Ph: 07 3834 3440

Technical contact: Terry Rushton Federal Redistribution Secretariat Ph: 02 6271 4468