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

Updated: 27 September 2023

Who makes the proposed redistribution of New South Wales and what factors do they consider?

The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales.

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.

Please note: The members of the Redistribution Committee will be advised following their appointment.

What factors will the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales consider when making their proposed redistribution of New South Wales?

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

  • New South Wales 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 New South Wales at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
  • consideration of 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 AEDT Friday 27 October 2023 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm AEDT Friday 10 November 2023 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 New South Wales 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 projected to be enrolled in each federal electoral division in New South Wales at the projection time of Monday 10 April 2028 must be between 125,085 and 134,157.
  • the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in New South Wales would not be more than plus 10 per cent or less than minus 10 per cent of the redistribution quota (sub-section 66(3) of the Electoral Act)
    • The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in New South Wales must be between 108,910 and 133,112.
  • 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
    3. the physical features and area of the proposed federal electoral division, and
    4. the boundaries of existing federal electoral divisions in New South Wales, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i, ii and iv (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)