How does a mini-redistribution work?

How would a mini-redistribution work in theory?

Section 76 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) sets out the processes to be followed to conduct a mini-redistribution.

Why is a mini-redistribution required?

The mini-redistribution is required because the number of members of the House of Representatives the Electoral Commissioner has determined the state or territory is entitled to does not equal the number of electorates it is divided into on the day on which the writ is issued.

The mini-redistribution is the process by which the number of electorates is made to equal the entitlement.

When is a mini-redistribution required?

A mini-redistribution is required if:

• the redistribution was triggered because of a change in the number of members the state or territory is entitled to in the House of Representatives, and
• the writ for a House of Representatives general election is issued before the redistribution has been determined.

How many federal electorates will there be after a mini-redistribution?

The number of electorates will equal the number the Electoral Commissioner determined the state or territory was entitled to at the most recent state/territory entitlement to electorates.

Who conducts a mini-redistribution?

Sub-section 76(2) of the Electoral Act specifies that the mini-redistribution will be conducted by the Redistribution Commissioners for the state or territory.

The Redistribution Commissioners are:

• the Electoral Commissioner
• the Australian Electoral Officer for the state, or in the case of the ACT, the senior Divisional Returning Officer for the ACT.

What factors will the Redistribution Commissioners consider when conducting a mini-redistribution?

The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Commissioners to consider the following factors when conducting a mini-redistribution:

• contiguous pairs of electorates – that is, electorates whose boundaries touch in at least one place.  This may include the boundaries touching over water.
• the relevant day – this is the day on which the Governor-General issued the writ for the House of Representatives general election
• the enrolment statistics published by the Electoral Commissioner in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette before the relevant day
• the names and boundaries of the electorates which are not in the pair of contiguous electorates which has been set aside are not changed and will be the same as those contested at the most recent general election.

How does a mini-redistribution work where a state or territory has to gain an electorate?

The steps are as follows:

1. The Redistribution Commissioners prepare a list identifying all the pairs of contiguous electorates in the state or territory
2. The number of electors enrolled in each possible pair of contiguous electorates is identified.  This is done by using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – that is, using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the day on which the Governor-General issued the writs for a general House of Representatives election
3. The Redistribution Commissioners set aside the pair of contiguous electorates with the greatest number of electors enrolled
4. The Redistribution Commissioners divide the set aside pair of contiguous electorates into three electorates.
   • The basis for dividing the two electorates into three is Statistical Area 1s (SA1s).  With the exception of those SA1s which are split as a result of a previous redistribution, SA1s cannot be split to create the new electorates.
   • Each of the three new electorates will contain, as far as is practicable, the same number of electors.
   • With the exception of including an island, the boundaries of the three new electorates will form an unbroken line.
5. The Redistribution Commissioners will name the three new electorates as follows:
   • the electorate containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Electorate of A will be given the name of the Electorate of A
   • the electorate containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Electorate of B will be given the name of the Electorate of B
   • the remaining electorate will be named after both of the old electorates with these names in alphabetical order and hyphenated.  The third electorate will be given the name of the Electorate of A-B
6. The Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument determining the names and boundaries of electorates in the state or territory.

Some scenarios showing how this would work are available in: How would a mini-redistribution work in practice?

How does a mini-redistribution work where a state or territory has to lose an electorate?

The steps are as follows:

1. The Redistribution Commissioners prepare a list identifying all the pairs of contiguous electorates in the state or territory
2. The number of electors enrolled in each possible pair of contiguous electorates is identified.  This is done by using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – that is, using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the day on which the Governor-General issued the writs for a general House of Representatives election
3. The Redistribution Commissioners set aside the pair of contiguous electorates with the smallest number of electors enrolled
4. The Redistribution Commissioners combine the set aside pair of contiguous electorates into one electorate
5. The Redistribution Commissioners will name the new electorate after both of the old electorate with these names in alphabetical order and hyphenated.  The new electorate will be given the name of the Electorate of Y-Z
6. The Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument determining the names and boundaries of electorates in the state or territory.

Some scenarios showing how this would work are available in: How would a mini-redistribution work in practice?

What happens to the electorates which aren’t in the set aside pair?

Sub-section 76(8) of the Electoral Act requires that the names and boundaries of all electorates other than the pair of contiguous electorates which has been set aside are left unchanged.  That means that the names and boundaries of the other electorates in the state or territory will be the same as those used at the last general election.

When does a mini-redistribution start?

Sub-section 76(1) of the Electoral Act specifies that a mini-redistribution commences on the day when the Governor-General issues writs for a general election – an election for all of the House of Representatives.

How long will it take to conduct a mini-redistribution?

Sub-section 76(7) of the Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Commissioners to have made their determination before the end of the expiration of the period of seven days after the relevant day – that is, before the end of seven days after the Governor-General issued the writ for a general election.

How do the Redistribution Commissioners make their determination?

Sub-section 76(6) of the Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Commissioners to determine, by an instrument in writing, the names and boundaries of the electorates of the state or territory.

A copy of this determination is:

• provided to the Minister, who must table it once Parliament is sitting again
• published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette, and
• published in two newspapers circulating throughout the state or territory.

How often are enrolment statistics published?

How would a mini-redistribution work in practice?

Background information

Determination of entitlement to members of the House of Representatives

On 29 February the Electoral Commissioner determined:

• Magpie’s entitlement to members of the House of Representatives is seven, an increase of one from their current six members, and
• Kookaburra’s entitlement to members of the House of Representative is seven, a decrease of one from their current eight members.

Redistributions commence

Redistributions of Kookaburra and Magpie commenced on 7 April. 

The redistribution of Magpie is scheduled to be determined on 13 March.

The redistribution of Kookaburra is scheduled to be determined on 1 April.

What do you need if a mini-redistribution is required?

• The pairs of contiguous electorates
• Enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day to use to determine the relevant contiguous pair

Enrolment statistics published in the Gazette

Scenario 1: The writ for a general election is issued on 15 December

Kookaburra

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Kookaburra has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Kookaburra is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of eight electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Kookaburra.
• The relevant day is 15 December.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 17 pairs of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 30 November, which were published in the Gazette on 10 December
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra with the lowest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Kangaroo and Wombat which has an aggregate enrolment of 148 electors (see Scenario 1 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).  This means that the Electorate of Kangaroo and the Electorate of Wombat will be added together to form the Electorate of Kangaroo-Wombat.
4. Before the end of 22 December, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Kookaburra are:
   • Bilby
   • Echidna
   • Kangaroo-Wombat
   • Koala
   • Numbat
   • Platypus
   • Quokka

Magpie

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Magpie has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of six electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Magpie.
• The relevant day is 15 December.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 12 pairs of contiguous electorates in Magpie
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 30 November, which were published in the Gazette on 10 December
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Magpie with the highest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Flannel Flower and Waratah which has an aggregate enrolment of 213 electors (see Scenario 1 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).    
4. The Electorate of Flannel Flower and the Electorate of Waratah are divided into three electorates which are as close to 71 electors as possible to form:
   • Electorate of Flannel Flower: which has 68 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Flannel Flower
   • Electorate of Flannel Flower-Waratah: which has 79 electors, 57 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Flannel Flower and 20 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Waratah
   • Electorate of Waratah: which has 72 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Waratah
5. Before the end of 22 December, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Magpie are:
   • Banksia
   • Bottlebrush
   • Eucalypt
   • Flannel Flower
   • Flannel Flower-Waratah
   • Waratah
   • Wattle

Scenario 2: The writ for a general election is issued on 28 January

Kookaburra

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Kookaburra has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Kookaburra is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of eight electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Kookaburra.
• The relevant day is 28 January.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 17 pairs of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 31 December, which were published in the Gazette on 20 January
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra with the lowest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Numbat and Quokka which has an aggregate enrolment of 157 electors (see Scenario 2 in Scenarios for Electorate mini-redistribution).  This means that the Electorate of Numbat and the Electorate of Quokka will be added together to form the Electorate of Numbat-Quokka.
4. Before the end of 4 February, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Kookaburra are:
   • Bilby
   • Echidna
   • Kangaroo
   • Koala
   • Numbat-Quokka
   • Platypus
   • Wombat

Magpie

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Magpie has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of six electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Magpie.
• The relevant day is 28 January.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 12 pairs of contiguous electorates in Magpie
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 31 December, which were published in the Gazette on 20 January
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Magpie with the highest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Banksia and Wattle which has an aggregate enrolment of 222 electors (see Scenario 2 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).    
4. The Electorate of Banksia and the Electorate of Wattle are divided into three electorates which are as close to 74 electors as possible to form:
   • Electorate of Banksia: which has 73 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Banksia
   • Electorate of Banksia-Wattle: which has 79 electors, 32 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Banksia and 47 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Wattle
   • Electorate of Wattle: which has 70 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Wattle
5. Before the end of 4 February, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Magpie are:
   • Banksia
   • Banksia-Wattle
   • Bottlebrush
   • Eucalypt
   • Flannel Flower
   • Waratah
   • Wattle

Scenario 3: The writ for a general election is issued on 5 February

Kookaburra

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Kookaburra has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Kookaburra is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of eight electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Kookaburra.
• The relevant day is 5 February.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 17 pairs of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 31 December, which were published in the Gazette on 20 January.  This is because the enrolment at 31 January, which was published on 14 February, was not published before the relevant day of 5 February.
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra with the lowest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Numbat and Quokka which has an aggregate enrolment of 157 electors (see Scenario 3 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).  This means that the Electorate of Numbat and the Electorate of Quokka will be added together to form the Electorate of Numbat-Quokka.
4. Before the end of 12 February, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Kookaburra are:
   • Bilby
   • Echidna
   • Kangaroo
   • Koala
   • Numbat-Quokka
   • Platypus
   • Wombat

Magpie

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Magpie has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of six electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Magpie.
• The relevant day is 5 February.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 12 pairs of contiguous electorates in Magpie
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 31 December, which were published in the Gazette on 20 January.  This is because the enrolment at 31 January, which was published on 14 February, was not published before the relevant day of 5 February.
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Magpie with the highest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Banksia and Wattle which has an aggregate enrolment of 222 electors (see Scenario 3 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).    
4. The Electorate of Banksia and the Electorate of Wattle are divided into three electorates which are as close to 74 electors as possible to form:
   • Electorate of Banksia: which has 73 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Banksia
   • Electorate of Banksia-Wattle: which has 79 electors, 32 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Banksia and 47 of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Wattle
   • Electorate of Wattle: which has 70 electors, all of whom used to be in the old Electorate of Wattle
5. Before the end of 12 February, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Magpie are:
   • Banksia
   • Banksia-Wattle
   • Bottlebrush
   • Eucalypt
   • Flannel Flower
   • Waratah
   • Wattle

Scenario 4: The writ for a general election is issued on 20 March

Kookaburra

• As the writ has been issued before the redistribution of Kookaburra has been determined, a mini-redistribution is required. 
• The mini-redistribution is required because the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Kookaburra is entitled to seven members of the House of Representatives, but on the day on which the writ is issued it consists of eight electorates.
• The redistribution which commenced on 7 April stops.
• The redistribution will be determined by the Redistribution Commissioners – the Electoral Commissioner and the Australian Electoral Officer for Kookaburra.
• The relevant day is 20 March.

1. Identify the pairs of contiguous electorates – there are 17 pairs of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra
2. Identify the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – this is enrolment at 28 February, which were published in the Gazette on 17 March
3. Calculate the pair of contiguous electorates in Kookaburra with the lowest aggregate enrolment – the pair is Kangaroo and Quokka which has an aggregate enrolment of 168 electors (see Scenario 4 in Scenarios for a mini-redistribution).  This means that the Electorate of Kangaroo and the Electorate of Quokka will be added together to form the Electorate of Kangaroo-Quokka.
4. Before the end of 27 March, the Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument indicating the seven electorates for Kookaburra are:
   • Bilby
   • Echidna
   • Kangaroo-Quokka
   • Koala
   • Numbat
   • Platypus
   • Wombat

Magpie

• As the redistribution was determined on 13 March, before the writ was issued on 20 March, a mini-redistribution is not required. 
• The mini-redistribution is not required because Magpie has seven electorates, which is the number the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie was entitled to
• The electorates on which the election will be contested on are:
  • Banksia
  • Bottlebrush
  • Eucalypt
  • Flannel Flower
  • Grevillea
  • Waratah
  • Wattle

Scenario 5: The writ for a general election is issued on 15 April

Kookaburra

• As the redistribution was determined on 1 April, before the writ was issued on 15 April, a mini-redistribution is not required. 
• The mini-redistribution is not required because Kookaburra has seven electorates, which is the number the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie was entitled to
• The electorates on which the election will be contested on are:
  • Bilby
  • Echidna
  • Kangaroo
  • Koala
  • Platypus
  • Quokka
  • Wombat

Magpie

• As the redistribution was determined on 13 March, before the writ was issued on 15 April, a mini-redistribution is not required. 
• The mini-redistribution is not required because Magpie has seven electorates, which is the number the Electoral Commissioner determined on 29 February that Magpie was entitled to
• The electorates on which the election will be contested on are:
  • Banksia
  • Bottlebrush
  • Eucalypt
  • Flannel Flower
  • Grevillea
  • Waratah
  • Wattle