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Australian Electoral Commission
Naming of Federal Divisions has been the subject of a number of recommendations from Parliamentary Committees. The subject was dealt with most recently by the 1995 Inquiry of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. From these recommendations, a set of guidelines or conventions has been developed and these are referred to by Redistribution Committees and augmented Electoral Commissions.
The guidelines are used in situations where divisions are to be created or where divisions are to be abolished during a redistribution process and are offered to interested persons in the advertising of redistributions.
It should be noted that neither Redistribution Committees nor augmented Electoral Commissions are in any way bound by the guidelines, which are reproduced below:
In the main, Divisions should be named after deceased Australians who have rendered outstanding service to their country.
When new Divisions are created the names of former Prime Ministers should be considered.
Every effort should be made to retain the names of original Federation Divisions.
Locality or place names should generally be avoided, but in certain areas the use of geographical features may be appropriate (e.g. Perth, Kalgoorlie).
Aboriginal names should be used where appropriate and as far as possible existing Aboriginal Divisional names should be retained.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.