20 February 2008

A redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Tasmania has begun. 

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 provides that a redistribution of federal electoral boundaries occurs when seven years has elapsed since the last redistribution. The last redistribution of boundaries in Tasmania was in February 2000, however the current redistribution was deferred due to the 2007 federal election.

"A redistribution is a redrawing of electoral boundaries to ensure each state and territory has representation in the House of Representatives in proportion to their populations, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, and that there are a similar number of electors in each federal division for a given state or territory," Electoral Commissioner, Ian Campbell said.

Mr Campbell said that Tasmania’s entitlement to seats in the House of Representatives would remain at five seats.

An initial step in the redistribution process is the calculation of the enrolment quota for Tasmania.  The quota of 70,441 is determined by dividing the number of electors enrolled in Tasmania as at 13 February 2008 by the number of Members of the House of Representatives that Tasmania is entitled to. 

A redistribution committee will be appointed and the public will be invited to make suggestions and comments on matters affecting the drawing of the electoral boundaries.

Redistribution processes usually take a number of months, and the new boundaries for Tasmania are not expected to be finalised until early 2009. More information on electoral boundary redistributions is available online at www.aec.gov.au/FAQs/Redistributions.htm.  

The enrolment figures used to determine the quota are also available on the AEC website

For more information contact:
Phil Diak
A/g Assistant Commissioner
Information and Communication Strategy
Ph (02) 6271 4415
Mobile 0413 452 539