Media Release 2006: Proposal for Queensland Federal Electoral Redistribution

23 June 2006

A new federal electoral division located in Central Queensland, and named after the Australian poet and social and environmental activist Judith Wright, was announced today as part of the proposal for the State's federal electoral redistribution.

The redistribution report, which details the proposed new boundaries for all 29 federal electoral divisions in Queensland, including the new division of Wright, has been published by the Redistribution Committee for Queensland.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell, Chair of the Committee, said that the Committee was directed by legislation to draw new boundaries which as at 30 November 2007 ensured that the number of electors in each division did not range more than 3.5% below and above the State's quota of 89 587 electors.

The 2006 redistribution process was triggered by Queensland's entitlement to a new federal electoral division. With the changing pattern of enrolment growth in a number of regions north of Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns including the areas of Maryborough, Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns and pockets in other areas such as southwest Brisbane and Ipswich, the Committee has proposed creating this 29th division in the Central Queensland area.

The proposed new division of Wright is located in an east-west band in Central Queensland. Drawing together a number of shires with complementary communities of interest, it is united by mining and agriculture industries and the infrastructure and transport links radiating from the Port of Gladstone through Central Queensland to the west.

The Committee's proposal to name the new division 'Wright' is in honour of the late Judith Wright. Ms Wright, who was born in 1915 and died in June 2000, made a significant contribution as a poet and in the areas of arts, conservation and indigenous affairs in Queensland and Australia.

The full details of the Queensland Committee's proposal are in their report available on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au.

Mr Campbell said that the consultative nature of the redistribution process continues with individuals and organisations now able to lodge objections about the Committee's proposed redistribution.

Written objections must be lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission no later than 6.00pm on Friday 21 July 2006 at:

Redistribution Committee for Queensland
488 Queen Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000

OR

GPO Box 2590
BRISBANE QLD 4001

All objections received will be available for public inspection and comment at the AEC State Office and on the AEC website from Monday 24 July 2006.

Media contacts:
Anne Bright
Australian Electoral Officer
AEC Queensland
(Brisbane)
Ph: 07 3834 3440

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner
Communication Branch (Canberra)
Ph: 02 6271 4477

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