25 March 2008

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit suggestions into the redistribution of federal electoral boundaries in Tasmania.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Ian Campbell said written suggestions about possible changes to the names and boundaries for the 5 federal electoral divisions in Tasmania must be lodged with the Redistribution Committee by 6.00pm on Monday 28 April 2008 to allow them to be considered.

Members of the Committee include the Electoral Commissioner, the AEC’s State Manager for Tasmania, and two senior state officials.

“In making its proposal about the redrawing of electoral boundaries, the Committee will consider numerical requirements, community of interests and communication and travel within the proposed electoral divisions. The physical features and area of the proposed divisions, and the boundaries of existing divisions in Tasmania will also be considered,” Mr Campbell said.

Those individuals and organisations intending to submit suggestions should visit the www.aec.gov.au for further information.

Suggestions and comments must be addressed to:

Redistribution Committee for Tasmania 2nd floor AMP Building 86 Collins Street HOBART  TAS  7000

OR

GPO Box 520             HOBART             TAS 7001

The Committee will make all suggestions received by the deadline available for public inspection at the AEC Tasmania State Office and on the AEC website from Monday 28 April 2008.  The public have until 6.00pm on Friday
9 May 2008 to lodge any written comments on the suggestions made.

Redistribution processes are consultative and usually take several months.  New electoral division boundaries for Tasmania are not expected to be finalised until early 2009.

Contact:
Phil Diak
Director, Media
Australian Electoral Commission
02 6271 4415 (bus hours)

Marie Neilson
State Manager
AEC Tasmania
Ph: 03 6235 0501