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

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) outlines the required processes for redistributions.

Who will make the proposed redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory?

The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for the Australian Capital Territory.

The Electoral Act (section 60) requires, for each redistribution of a state or territory, the appointment of a Redistribution Committee for that state or territory.

The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the Redistribution Committee for the Australian Capital Territory will be:

  • the Australian Electoral Commissioner;
  • a member of staff of the Australian Electoral Commission appointed under s 60(7B);
  • the Surveyor-General of the Australian Capital Territory; and
  • the Australian Capital Territory Auditor-General.

What factors will the Redistribution Committee for the Australian Capital Territory consider when making their proposed redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory?

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

  • the Australian Capital Territory is to be divided into the same number of federal electorates as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the Australian Capital Territory at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
  • all ideas and feedback on ideas received by the lodgement time (sub-section 64(4) of the Electoral Act)
  • as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electorate in the Australian Capital Territory 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)
  • the number of electors enrolled in each federal electorate in the Australian Capital Territory 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)
  • in relation to each proposed federal electorate, give due consideration to:
    1. community of interests within the proposed federal electorate, including economic, social and regional interests
    2. means of communication and travel within the proposed federal electorate
    3. the physical features and area of the proposed federal electorate, and
    4. the boundaries of existing federal electorates in the Australian Capital Territory, 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).

Note: Previous amendments to the Electoral Act have removed sub-paragraph 66(3)(b)(iii).

Updated: 8 October 2025