Electoral Newsfile No 131 - National Seat Status – including notional seat status for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland
No. 131 July 2007
Published for the information of people interested in the Australian electoral process by the Australian Electoral Commission, PO Box 6172 Kingston ACT 2604. Phone 02 6271 4411 Fax 02 6271 4558
This edition of Electoral Newsfile includes the seat status for all electoral divisions as a result of the 2004 Federal Election. In addition, the Newsfile includes post-redistribution seat status for divisions in the territory and states which have undergone redistributions since the 2004 Federal Election.
Redistributions of electoral boundaries
Since the 2004 Federal Election, there have been changes, or redistributions, of electoral boundaries in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland.
The redistribution of electoral boundaries in the Australian Capital Territory was concluded in November 2005 without the need for a public enquiry and with minimum change.
The redistributions of electoral boundaries in New South Wales and Queensland were triggered in 2005 as a result of changes in population that led to changes in entitlement to representation. As a result of the redistribution process New South Wales is entitled to 49 divisions and Queensland is entitled to 29. In New South Wales changes have been made to the boundaries of all divisions
and the division of Gwydir has been abolished.
In Queensland changes to the boundaries of 26 existing divisions have been made and a new division named Flynn has been created in central Queensland.
Divisional and state maps of the new boundaries are available from the AEC. More detail on these redistributions is covered in Electoral Newsfiles number 126, 129 and 130.
Please note:In the pages following there are two tables for New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. The first of the tables shows data from the 2004 federal election and the second contains post-redistribution data.
Notional seat status
Following the conclusion of the redistribution process, the AEC has calculated the seat status of the new electoral divisions, ie which party would have won the seats on the new boundaries had the 2004 voting patterns been repeated. These calculations will be used within the AEC’s computer network at the next election, and in particular on election night, in order to determine swings. For example, votes received by candidates contesting the next federal election in Queensland will be compared against estimated votes for the new divisions following the redistribution and not those votes obtained for the Queensland divisions at the 2004 election (or any subsequent by-election).
How is status defined?
Seat status is based on the two-party preferred vote (TPP). The two-party preferred vote refers to the number of votes received by the leading Labor and Liberal/National Party candidates after a full distribution of preferences.
By convention, when a party receives less than 56% of the vote the seat is classified as ‘marginal’ (M); between 56-60% it is classified as ‘fairly safe’ (FS) and more than 60% is considered ‘safe’ (S).
How is the TPP calculated after a redistribution?
The estimated voting pattern of a redistributed electoral division is calculated by adjusting the percentage of votes cast at each polling place to take account of the position of the new boundaries.
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks | 51.06 | 48.94 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Barton | 57.54 | 42.46 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Bennelong | 45.67 | 54.33 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Berowra | 37.84 | 62.16 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Blaxland | 62.87 | 37.13 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Bradfield | 31.49 | 68.51 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Calare* | 48.90 | 51.10 | IND | M | LP/NP |
| Charlton | 57.92 | 42.08 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Chifley | 62.98 | 37.02 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Cook | 36.18 | 63.82 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Cowper | 43.55 | 56.45 | NP | FS | LP/NP |
| Cunningham | 61.46 | 38.54 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Dobell | 44.10 | 55.90 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Eden-Monaro | 47.86 | 52.14 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Farrer | 30.18 | 69.82 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fowler | 71.36 | 28.64 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Gilmore | 39.92 | 60.08 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Grayndler | 72.60 | 27.40 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Greenway | 49.42 | 50.58 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Gwydir | 31.61 | 68.39 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Hughes | 38.96 | 61.04 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Hume | 35.87 | 64.13 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Hunter | 63.75 | 36.25 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Kingsford Smith | 59.01 | 40.99 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Lindsay | 44.74 | 55.26 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Lowe | 53.30 | 46.70 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Lyne | 36.97 | 63.03 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Macarthur | 40.49 | 59.51 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Mackellar | 34.25 | 65.75 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Macquarie | 41.08 | 58.92 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Mitchell | 29.32 | 70.68 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| New England* | 36.79 | 63.21 | IND | S | LP/NP |
| Newcastle | 59.98 | 40.02 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| North Sydney | 39.97 | 60.03 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Page | 45.77 | 54.23 | NP | M | LP/NP |
| Parkes | 35.60 | 64.40 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Parramatta | 50.77 | 49.23 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Paterson | 43.03 | 56.97 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Prospect | 57.12 | 42.88 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Reid | 62.77 | 37.23 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Richmond | 50.19 | 49.81 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Riverina | 29.34 | 70.66 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Robertson | 43.19 | 56.81 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Shortland | 59.49 | 40.51 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Sydney | 66.42 | 33.58 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Throsby | 65.00 | 35.00 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Warringah | 39.52 | 60.48 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Watson | 65.14 | 34.86 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Wentworth | 44.52 | 55.48 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Werriwa | 59.31 | 40.69 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Total | 48.07 | 51.93 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks | 53.22 | 46.78 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Barton | 57.57 | 42.43 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Bennelong | 45.87 | 54.13 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Berowra | 36.18 | 63.82 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Blaxland | 65.23 | 34.77 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Bradfield | 32.45 | 67.55 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Calare* | 38.59 | 61.41 | IND | S | LP/NP |
| Charlton | 58.40 | 41.60 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Chifley | 61.97 | 38.03 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Cook | 36.72 | 63.28 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Cowper | 43.25 | 56.75 | NP | FS | LP/NP |
| Cunningham | 61.62 | 38.38 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Dobell | 45.16 | 54.84 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Eden-Monaro | 46.73 | 53.27 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Farrer | 33.37 | 66.63 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fowler | 63.32 | 36.68 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Gilmore | 40.59 | 59.41 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Grayndler | 71.19 | 28.81 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Greenway | 38.65 | 61.35 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Gwydir | Abolished | ||||
| Hughes | 41.45 | 58.55 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Hume | 37.16 | 62.84 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Hunter | 61.09 | 38.91 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Kingsford Smith | 58.73 | 41.27 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Lindsay | 47.08 | 52.92 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Lowe | 53.03 | 46.97 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Lyne | 36.59 | 63.41 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Macarthur | 38.85 | 61.15 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Mackellar | 34.54 | 65.46 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Macquarie # | 50.47 | 49.53 | LP | M | ALP |
| Mitchell | 29.32 | 70.68 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| New England* | 36.41 | 63.59 | IND | S | LP/NP |
| Newcastle | 59.09 | 40.91 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| North Sydney | 39.96 | 60.04 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Page | 44.54 | 55.46 | NP | M | LP/NP |
| Parkes | 32.44 | 67.56 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Parramatta # | 49.17 | 50.83 | ALP | M | LP/NP |
| Paterson | 43.68 | 56.32 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Prospect | 56.40 | 43.60 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Reid | 62.08 | 37.92 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Richmond | 51.44 | 48.56 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Riverina | 29.15 | 70.85 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Robertson | 43.13 | 56.87 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Shortland | 59.24 | 40.76 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Sydney | 67.38 | 32.62 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Throsby | 63.82 | 36.18 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Warringah | 38.71 | 61.29 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Watson | 64.56 | 35.44 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Wentworth | 47.49 | 52.51 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Werriwa | 56.94 | 43.06 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Total | 48.07 | 51.93 |
# These divisions, post 2006 redistributions, whose notional seat status indicates a change from one party to another
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston | 36.85 | 63.15 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Ballarat | 52.23 | 47.77 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Batman | 71.32 | 28.68 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Bendigo | 50.96 | 49.04 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Bruce | 53.48 | 46.52 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Calwell | 58.19 | 41.81 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Casey | 38.65 | 61.35 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Chisholm | 52.65 | 47.35 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Corangamite | 44.68 | 55.32 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Corio | 55.64 | 44.36 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Deakin | 45.03 | 54.97 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Dunkley | 40.62 | 59.38 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Flinders | 38.89 | 61.11 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Gellibrand | 64.95 | 35.05 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Gippsland | 42.30 | 57.70 | NP | FS | LP/NP |
| Goldstein | 39.97 | 60.03 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Gorton | 64.90 | 35.10 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Higgins | 41.24 | 58.76 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Holt | 51.51 | 48.49 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Hotham | 57.40 | 42.60 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Indi | 33.71 | 66.29 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Isaacs | 51.48 | 48.52 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Jagajaga | 54.40 | 45.60 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Kooyong | 40.42 | 59.58 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| La Trobe | 44.17 | 55.83 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Lalor | 58.79 | 41.21 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Mallee | 25.25 | 74.75 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Maribyrnong | 59.47 | 40.53 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| McEwen | 43.58 | 56.42 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| McMillan | 45.01 | 54.99 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Melbourne | 71.14 | 28.86 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Melbourne Ports | 53.74 | 46.26 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Menzies | 39.33 | 60.67 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Murray | 25.92 | 74.08 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Scullin | 64.79 | 35.21 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Wannon | 37.63 | 62.37 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Wills | 66.90 | 33.10 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Total | 49.00 | 51.00 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | 38.79 | 61.21 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Bonner | 49.49 | 50.51 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Bowman | 40.88 | 59.12 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Brisbane | 53.90 | 46.10 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Capricornia | 55.14 | 44.86 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Dawson | 39.62 | 60.38 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Dickson | 42.17 | 57.83 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Fadden | 34.72 | 65.28 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fairfax | 39.17 | 60.83 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fisher | 37.02 | 62.98 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Forde | 37.02 | 62.98 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Griffith | 58.63 | 41.37 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Groom | 31.05 | 68.95 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Herbert | 43.80 | 56.20 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Hinkler | 45.19 | 54.81 | NP | M | LP/NP |
| Kennedy* | 41.05 | 58.95 | IND | FS | LP/NP |
| Leichhardt | 40.00 | 60.00 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Lilley | 55.27 | 44.73 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Longman | 42.34 | 57.66 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Maranoa | 29.07 | 70.93 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| McPherson | 36.11 | 63.89 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Moncrieff | 29.86 | 70.14 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Moreton | 45.83 | 54.17 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Oxley | 59.72 | 40.28 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Petrie | 42.08 | 57.92 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Rankin | 53.23 | 46.77 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Ryan | 39.58 | 60.42 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Wide Bay | 37.11 | 62.89 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Total | 42.91 | 57.09 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | 44.31 | 55.69 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Bonner | 49.49 | 50.51 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Bowman | 41.10 | 58.90 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Brisbane | 53.94 | 46.06 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Capricornia | 54.01 | 45.99 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Dawson | 40.01 | 59.99 | NP | FS | LP/NP |
| Dickson | 41.11 | 58.89 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Fadden | 34.10 | 65.90 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fairfax | 37.59 | 62.41 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fisher | 39.02 | 60.98 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Flynn | 42.28 | 57.72 | New Division | FS | LP/NP |
| Forde | 38.48 | 61.52 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Griffith | 58.48 | 41.52 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Groom | 31.19 | 68.81 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Herbert | 43.76 | 56.24 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Hinkler | 41.66 | 58.34 | NP | FS | LP/NP |
| Kennedy* | 41.14 | 58.86 | IND | FS | LP/NP |
| Leichhardt | 39.74 | 60.26 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Lilley | 55.40 | 44.60 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Longman | 43.25 | 56.75 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Maranoa | 28.95 | 71.05 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| McPherson | 36.06 | 63.94 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Moncrieff | 30.47 | 69.53 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Moreton | 47.17 | 52.83 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Oxley | 57.12 | 42.88 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Petrie | 42.55 | 57.45 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Rankin | 52.98 | 47.02 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Ryan | 39.58 | 60.42 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Wide Bay | 37.79 | 62.21 | NP | S | LP/NP |
| Total | 42.91 | 57.09 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | 54.65 | 45.35 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Canning | 40.46 | 59.54 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Cowan | 50.78 | 49.22 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Curtin | 35.38 | 64.62 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Forrest | 39.55 | 60.45 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Fremantle | 57.76 | 42.24 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Hasluck | 48.18 | 51.82 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Kalgoorlie | 43.70 | 56.30 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Moore | 39.17 | 60.83 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| O’Connor | 29.61 | 70.39 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Pearce | 37.06 | 62.94 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Perth | 56.73 | 43.27 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Stirling | 47.96 | 52.04 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Swan | 50.08 | 49.92 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Tangney | 38.25 | 61.75 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Total | 44.60 | 55.40 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 51.33 | 48.67 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Barker | 30.12 | 69.88 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Boothby | 44.63 | 55.37 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Grey | 36.18 | 63.82 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Hindmarsh | 50.06 | 49.94 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Kingston | 49.93 | 50.07 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Makin | 49.07 | 50.93 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Mayo* | 36.41 | 63.59 | LP | S | LP/NP |
| Port Adelaide | 62.91 | 37.09 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Sturt | 43.20 | 56.80 | LP | FS | LP/NP |
| Wakefield | 49.33 | 50.67 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Total | 45.64 | 54.36 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | 47.37 | 52.63 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Braddon | 48.87 | 51.13 | LP | M | LP/NP |
| Denison | 63.29 | 36.71 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Franklin | 57.59 | 42.41 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Lyons | 53.68 | 46.32 | ALP | M | ALP |
| Total | 54.19 | 45.81 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | 59.62 | 40.38 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Fraser | 63.33 | 36.67 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Total | 61.54 | 38.46 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | 59.91 | 40.09 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Fraser | 63.32 | 36.68 | ALP | S | ALP |
| Total | 61.54 | 38.46 |
| Division Name | ALP (%) | LP/NP (%) | Elected 2004 | Status | TPP (two-party preferred) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingiari | 57.66 | 42.34 | ALP | FS | ALP |
| Solomon | 47.19 | 52.81 | CLP | M | LP/NP |
| Total | 52.15 | 47.85 |
Australian Electoral Commission Contacts
Media Liaison
Members of the media are asked to use the Media Liaison and State Office contact numbers listed rather than the general enquiry number 13 23 26 which appears on AEC advertising.
Director Media and Communication Strategy Section
Phil Diak
(02) 6271 4415
Assistant Director Media and Communication Strategy Section
Bernadette O’Meara
(02) 6271 4724
Editor, Electoral Newsfile Cate Thompson
(02) 6271 4583
State/Territory Offices
The administration of a federal election in each state and territory is under the control of the Australian Electoral Officer/State Manager (AEO/ State Manager) for that state or territory. An AEO/State Manager for the ACT is temporarily appointed for each election.
AEO/State Managers may be contacted on the following numbers:
New South Wales
Tom Rogers
Ph: (02) 9375 6319
Fx: (02) 9281 9384
Victoria
Daryl Wight
Ph: (03) 9285 7100
Fx: (03) 9285 7178
Queensland
Anne Bright
Ph: (07) 3834 3440
Fx: (07)3831 7223
Western Australia
Jennie Gzik
Ph: (08) 6363 8080
Fx: (08) 6363 8016
South Australia
Dr Chris Drury
Ph: (08) 8237 6540
Fx: (08) 8231 2664
Tasmania
Marie Neilson
Ph: (03) 6235 0500
Fx: (03) 6234 4268
Northern Territory
Iain Loganathan
Ph: (08) 8982 8000
Fx: (08) 8981 4725




