Who makes the proposed redistribution and what factors do they consider?

Updated: 11 May 2017

Who will make the proposed redistribution of Queensland?

The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for Queensland.

Section 60 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that for each redistribution of a state or territory, a Redistribution Committee for that state or territory will be appointed. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the Redistribution Committee.

The Redistribution Committee for Queensland is:
Redistribution Committee Name Basis for membership
Chair Mr Tom Rogers Electoral Commissioner
Member Mr Thomas Ryan Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland
Member Mr Anthony Close Acting Auditor-General for Queensland
Member Mr Steven Jacoby Executive Director of Land and Spatial Information, Department of Natural Resources and Mines

Note: Sub-paragraph 60(2)(c)(ii) provides that where is no Surveyor-General for the State, the person nominated by the relevant State Minister as the person holding the office equivalent to the office of Surveyor-General for the State is a member of the Redistribution Committee.

What factors will the Redistribution Committee for Queensland consider when making their proposed redistribution of Queensland?

The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Committee for Queensland to comply with the following factors when making their proposed redistribution:

  • Queensland is to be divided into the same number of federal electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in Queensland at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
  • all suggestions and comments on suggestions received by the lodgement time (sub-section 64(4) of the Electoral Act)
    • All written suggestions received by 6pm AEST Friday 19 May 2017 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm AEST Friday 2 June 2017 will be considered by the Redistribution Committee in the development of their proposed redistribution.
  • as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland at the projection time would not be more than plus 3.5 per cent or less than minus 3.5 per cent of the projected enrolment quota (paragraph 66(3)(a) of the Electoral Act)
    • As far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland at the projection time of Monday 27 September 2021 must be between 106,270 and 113,978.
  • the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland would not be more than plus 10 per cent or less than minus 10 per cent of the current enrolment quota (sub-section 66(3) of the Electoral Act)
    • The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland must be between 92,883 and 113,523.
  • in relation to each proposed federal electoral division, give due consideration to:
    1. community of interests within the proposed federal electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
    2. means of communication and travel within the proposed federal electoral division
    1. the physical features and area of the proposed federal electoral division, and
    2. the boundaries of existing federal electoral divisions in Queensland, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration of i, ii and iv (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)