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

Updated: 4 September 2017

Who will make the proposed redistribution of the ACT?

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

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 the ACT consider when making their proposed redistribution of the ACT?

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

  • The ACT 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 the ACT at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
    • As the ACT is entitled to 3 members of the House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on 31 August 2017, the Redistribution Committee will propose 3 electoral divisions for the ACT.
  • the Jervis Bay Territory in its entirety is to be included in a different ACT electoral division to Norfolk Island (section 56AA 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 AEDT Friday 24 November 2017 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm AEDT Friday 8 December 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 the ACT 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 the ACT at the projection time of Thursday 13 January 2022 must be between 96,210 and 103,188.
  • the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in the ACT 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 the ACT must be between 86,504 and 105,726.
  • 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 the ACT, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration 1 to 3 (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)