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Australian Electoral Commission
New South Wales is undergoing a redistribution because the number of members of the House of Representatives it is entitled to has decreased from 47 to 46 as a result of a determination made by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Sub-section 59(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) specifies that a redistribution process should be undertaken when:
The redistribution formally commenced on Wednesday 9 August 2023.
New South Wales is now entitled to 46 federal electoral divisions, which is a decrease of one from 47.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose which electoral division should be abolished at two stages of the redistribution process:
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating for the abolition of a federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate which federal electoral division has been abolished, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed abolition. Objections may agree or disagree with the Redistribution Committee’s proposal. Any ideas received in objections and comments on objections advocating for a particular federal electoral division to be abolished will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales, who is ultimately responsible for determining the federal electoral divisions in New South Wales.
The name of an abolished electoral division may be re-used.
Electoral divisions are required to fall within two numerical ranges:
Abolishing an electoral division will, of necessity, result in significant elector movement away from the abolished electoral division and will also require consequential boundary changes and elector movements across the state to ensure that all electoral divisions remain within the two numerical ranges.
No. On the boundaries in place on Wednesday 9 August 2023:
Electoral division |
Enrolment as at Wednesday 9 August 2023 |
Projected enrolment at Monday 10 April 2028 |
Is the requirement met? |
|---|---|---|---|
Banks |
108,512 |
119,557 |
No
|
Barton |
112,326 |
121,919 |
No
|
Bennelong |
116,790 |
122,124 |
No
|
Berowra |
106,739 |
109,154 |
No
|
Blaxland |
110,001 |
122,692 |
No
Also, current enrolment for the Division of Blaxland is close to being more than 10 per cent under the redistribution quota |
Bradfield |
109,126 |
109,523 |
No
Also, current enrolment for the Division of Bradfield is close to being more than 10 per cent under the redistribution quota |
Calare |
122,798 |
126,537 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Calare is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
Chifley |
126,954 |
148,639 |
No
|
Cook |
111,384 |
125,069 |
No
|
Cowper |
131,515 |
135,536 |
No
|
Cunningham |
118,123 |
117,869 |
No
|
Dobell |
119,946 |
131,442 |
Yes |
Eden-Monaro |
116,732 |
124,402 |
No
|
Farrer |
121,734 |
127,265 |
Yes |
Fowler |
112,414 |
127,624 |
Yes |
Gilmore |
128,991 |
134,884 |
No
|
Grayndler |
111,079 |
111,454 |
No
|
Greenway |
125,882 |
144,158 |
No
|
Hughes |
108,110 |
120,601 |
No
|
Hume |
125,549 |
138,104 |
No
|
Hunter |
131,588 |
135,536 |
No
|
Kingsford Smith |
115,481 |
120,776 |
No
|
Lindsay |
127,763 |
144,334 |
No
|
Lyne |
126,513 |
132,775 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Lyne is close to being 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
Macarthur |
140,280 |
171,700 |
No
|
Mackellar |
111,700 |
117,968 |
No
|
McMahon |
111,293 |
125,817 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of McMahon is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
Macquarie |
108,671 |
117,867 |
No
|
Mitchell |
126,812 |
148,572 |
No
|
Newcastle |
123,370 |
130,623 |
Yes |
New England |
115,732 |
115,345 |
No
|
North Sydney |
112,630 |
112,566 |
No
|
Page |
123,663 |
129,995 |
Yes |
Parkes |
110,690 |
109,528 |
No
|
Parramatta |
109,049 |
119,570 |
No
Also, current enrolment for the Division of Parramatta is close to being more than 10 per cent under the redistribution quota |
Paterson |
135,332 |
144,824 |
No
|
Reid |
116,485 |
125,674 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Reid is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
Richmond |
122,977 |
129,794 |
Yes |
Riverina |
117,550 |
117,407 |
No
|
Robertson |
112,982 |
125,241 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Robertson is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
Shortland |
117,337 |
122,767 |
No
|
Sydney |
122,549 |
121,661 |
No
|
Warringah |
105,759 |
105,958 |
No
|
Watson |
110,765 |
123,370 |
No
|
Wentworth |
104,081 |
102,383 |
No
|
Werriwa |
132,460 |
159,054 |
No
Also, current enrolment for the Division of Werriwa is close to being more than 10 per cent over the redistribution quota |
Whitlam |
128,272 |
132,897 |
Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Whitlam is close to being 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
Note: To access maps of electoral divisions that existed at different points in time, visit the electorates section in the Parliamentary Library’s Parliamentary Handbook Online Electorates (aph.gov.au). Within the Handbook, you can select electoral divisions at different points in time for comparison, overlay them on top of each other, and view the maps to observe the historical evolution of electoral boundaries, including divisions that have been retired over the years. This resource provides a comprehensive view of electoral divisions and changes to these divisions dating back to the first federal election in 1901.
Abolishing an electoral division in New South Wales will require some consequential changes to other electoral division boundaries as reducing the number of electoral divisions is not simply a case of combining two electoral divisions into one as doing so will result in electoral divisions which do not meet the numerical requirements.
Because the requirement to be within the specified range for both enrolment as at Wednesday 9 August 2023 and projected enrolment as at Monday 10 April 2028 is not met by all 47 of New South Wales’ federal electoral divisions, the boundaries of these electoral divisions will need to change.
Changes will be made to some or all of the boundaries of New South Wales’ federal electoral divisions. Changes may be made to those federal electoral divisions which meet the requirement as a consequence of making changes to the boundaries of those federal electoral divisions which do not meet the requirement. This is to ensure that all of New South Wales’ federal electoral divisions meet the requirement.
The names of the current electoral divisions may or may not change.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose alternative names for electoral divisions at two stages of the redistribution process:
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating a change of name for a federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate whether it has or has not proposed changing the name of a federal electoral division, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed names of federal electoral divisions. Objections may agree or disagree with the Redistribution Committee’s proposal. Any ideas received in objections and comments on objections advocating a change of name for a federal electoral division will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales, who is ultimately responsible for determining the names of the federal electoral divisions in New South Wales.
The Guidelines for naming federal electoral divisions were developed by the AEC from recommendations made by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in 1995 in its Report on the Effectiveness and Appropriateness of the Redistribution Provisions of Parts III and IV of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. These guidelines are non-binding but may be referred to by the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales or the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales to assist with their decision making process.
The extent to which the names of New South Wales' current federal electoral divisions meet these guidelines is displayed below.
Electoral division |
Is the electoral division named for an Australian Prime Minister? |
Is the electoral division name that of an original Federation electoral division? |
Is the electoral division named for an aboriginal person or word? |
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No |
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Information about current electoral division names
The Division of Banks is named for Sir Joseph Banks, 1743–1820. Banks was a botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his voyage to Australia in 1770 and recorded his general impressions of the Australian east coast, noting plants, insects, molluscs, reptiles, birds, fish, quadrupeds, etc. as well as Aboriginal customs.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Sir Joseph Banks from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Barton is named for the Rt Hon. Sir Edmund Barton GCMG KC, 1849–1920. Barton was an active member of the Constitutional Conventions that led to the Commonwealth of Australia, the first Prime Minister of Australia (1901–03), a Member of the House of Representatives (1901–03) and a Justice of the High Court (1903–20).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 September 1922 and was first represented in 1922.
Biographical information about Sir Edmund Barton from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Bennelong is named for Bennelong, 1764?–1813. Bennelong was a young Aboriginal man who was captured by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1789. He was later taken to England where he met the King.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Bennelong from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Berowra is named for the geographic area in which the electoral division is located. The name 'Berowra' is believed to be an Aboriginal word for 'place of many winds'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Information about the suburb of Berowra can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Blaxland is named for Gregory Blaxland, 1778–1853. Blaxland was an early Australian explorer who was a member of the first European party to successfully cross the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Gregory Blaxland from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Bradfield is named for Dr John Job Crew Bradfield CMG, 1867–1943. Bradfield was a civil engineer who was associated with the Cataract and Burrinjuck Dams and was instrumental in the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about John Bradfield from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Calare is named for an Aboriginal name for the Lachlan River.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 July 1906 and was first represented in 1906.
The Division of Chifley is named for the Rt Hon. Joseph Benedict Chifley, 1885–1951. Chifley was Prime Minister of Australia (1945–49) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1928–31 and 1940–51).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Biographical information about Joseph Chifley from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Cook is named for Captain James Cook FRS, 1728–79. Cook was a navigator in the Royal Navy who is credited as the first European to discover the east coast of Australia in 1770.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 July 1906 and was first represented in 1906.
Note: The name was retired for the 1955 federal election and resurrected for the 1969 federal election.
Biographical information about James Cook from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Cowper is named for Sir Charles Cowper CMG KCMG, 1807–75. Cowper was a statesman who served as Premier of New South Wales on five occasions.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about Sir Charles Cowper from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Cunningham is named for Allan Cunningham, 1791–1839. Cunningham was a botanist who accompanied many explorations along Australia's east coast and is credited with discovering Pandora's Pass, the Darling Downs and Cunningham's Gap.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Allan Cunningham from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Dobell is named for Sir William Dobell OBE, 1899–1970. Dobell was a prominent Australian painter and portrait artist who won the Archibald Prize in 1943.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Sir William Dobell from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Eden-Monaro is named for the two areas in which the electoral division is located. The name 'Monaro' is variously believed to be:
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the two place names can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Farrer is named for William James Farrer, 1845–1906. Farrer was a noted wheat breeder and experimentalist.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about William Farrer from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Fowler is named for Elizabeth Lilian Maud Fowler MBE, 1887–1954. Fowler was the first woman mayor in Australia (1938–39). The division was so named to also honour the contribution of women to local government.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Elizabeth Fowler from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Gilmore is named for Dame Mary Jean Gilmore DBE, 1865–1962. Gilmore was a noted poet and prose writer.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Mary Gilmore from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Grayndler is named for Edward Grayndler OBE, 1867–1943. Grayndler was a foundation member of the Amalgamated Shearers' Union of Australasia in 1886 and in 1895 was appointed shearer's union organiser for the Australian Workers' Union. He was an industrial advocate and was a member of the Bruce-Page government's Industrial Delegation to the United States of America in 1927.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Edward Grayndler from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Greenway is named for Francis Greenway, 1777–1837. Greenway, a former convict, was a noted colonial architect.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Francis Greenway from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Hughes is named for the Rt Hon. William Morris Hughes CH KC, 1862–1952. Hughes was the Prime Minister of Australia (1915–23) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1901–52).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 30 August 1955 and was first represented in 1955.
Biographical information about William Hughes from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Hume is named for Hamilton Hume, 1797–1873. Hume was an explorer of south-eastern Australia. He was part of the first expedition to travel overland from Sydney to Port Phillip and part of the first European expedition to discover the Darling River.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about Hamilton Hume from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Hunter is named for the Hunter River, which was part of the electoral division when it was first created. The river was discovered by John Shortland in 1797 and named after Captain John Hunter RN, the second Governor of the Colony of New South Wales (1795–1800).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the Hunter River can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Kingsford Smith is named for Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith MC AFC, 1897–1935. Kingsford Smith was Australia's most famous aviator. In 1928, he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Sir Charles Kingsford Smith from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Lindsay is named for Norman Alfred Lindsay, 1879–1969. Lindsay was a prominent Australian painter, novelist and artist who is known for creating 'The Magic Pudding'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Norman Lindsay from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Lyne is named for Sir William John Lyne, 1844–1913. Lyne was a participant in the Constitutional Conventions that led to the Commonwealth of Australia and was the first member of the Australian Parliament to be offered a commission to form a government.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Sir William Lyne from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Macarthur is named for Elizabeth Macarthur, 1766–1850 and Captain John Macarthur, 1767–1834. The Macarthurs were early settlers in New South Wales and founders of the Australian merino wool industry.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Elizabeth Macarthur from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Biographical information about John Macarthur from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Mackellar is named for Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar OBE, 1885–1968. Mackellar was a poet and author who was best known for writing 'My Country'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Isobel Mackellar from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Macquarie is named for Major-General Lachlan Macquarie, 1761–1824. Macquarie was Governor of the Colony of New South Wales (1810–21). The area covered by the electoral division when it was first established in 1901 was also known as the Macquarie district.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about Lachlan Macquarie from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of McMahon is named for the Rt Hon. Sir William McMahon GCMG CH, 1908–88. McMahon was Prime Minister of Australia (1971–72) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1949–82).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 22 December 2009 and was first represented in 2010.
Biographical information about Sir William McMahon from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Mitchell is named for Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, 1792–1855. Mitchell was a noted surveyor, who built and improved many roads in New South Wales, and an explorer who conducted several expeditions throughout south-eastern Australia. These expeditions included following the courses of the Darling, Lachlan and Murray Rivers.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Sir Thomas Mitchell from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Newcastle is named for the city covered by the electoral division. Newcastle was named by Governor King in 1804.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the city of Newcastle can be found can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of New England is named for the area covered by the electoral division. It is believed the area has been known by this name due to the similarity of its climate, fruits and cultivation to England.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the New England region can be found can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of North Sydney is named for the area covered by the electoral division.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the North Sydney region can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Page is named for the Rt Hon. Sir Earle Christmas Grafton Page GCMG CH, 1880–1961. Page was caretaker Prime Minister of Australia (7 April–16 April 1939) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1919–61).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 October 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Sir Earle Page from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Parkes is named for Sir Henry Parkes KCMG GCMG, 1815–96. Parkes was a statesman who advocated for electoral and constitutional reform in the colony and land reform. As a result of his early promotion of federation of the colonies, Parkes is known as the 'Father of Federation'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Note: The name was retired for the 1969 federal election and was resurrected for the 1984 federal election.
Biographical information about Sir Henry Parkes from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Parramatta is named for the city covered by the electoral division. The name 'Parramatta' is variously believed to be:
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about Parramatta can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Paterson is jointly named for:
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Note: The name 'Paterson' was retired for the 1984 federal election and was resurrected for the 1993 federal election, at which time it was jointly named.
Biographical information about William Paterson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Biographical information about Banjo Paterson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Reid is named for the Rt Hon. Sir George Houstoun Reid KC GCB GCMG, 1845–1918. Reid was an active member of the Constitutional Conventions that led to the Commonwealth of Australia, Prime Minister of Australia (1904–05), a Member of the House of Representatives (1901–09) and Australia's first High Commissioner to London.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 September 1922 and was first represented in 1922.
Biographical information about Sir George Reid from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Richmond is named for the area covered by the electoral division.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the Richmond region can be found can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Riverina is named for the area covered by the electoral division.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Note: The name was modified to 'Riverina-Darling' for the 1984 federal election before being changed to 'Riverina' for the 1993 federal election.
The Division of Robertson is named for Sir John Robertson KCMG, 1816–91. Robertson was a statesman who advocated for electoral and constitutional reform in the colony and land reform.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about Sir John Robertson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Shortland is named for Naval Lieutenant John Shortland, 1769–1810. Shortland named the Hunter River, made the first chart of the harbour and collected samples of coal near what would become Shortland.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about John Shortland from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Sydney is named for the city covered by the electoral division. The name 'Sydney' was used by Captain Arthur Phillip in honour of Thomas Townshend, First Viscount Sydney, who as British Home Secretary submitted the plan for a convict settlement at Botany Bay.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Information about Sydney can be found can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Warringah is named for the area in which the electoral division is located. 'Warringah' is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning 'sign of rain', 'across the waves' or 'sea'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 September 1922 and was first represented in 1922.
The Division of Watson is named for the Hon. John Christian Watson, 1867–1941. Watson was Prime Minister of Australia (27 April–17 August 1904) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1901–10).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 1 August 1934 and was first represented in 1934.
Note: The name was retired for the 1969 federal election and resurrected for the 1993 federal election.
Biographical information about John Christian Watson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Wentworth is named for William Charles Wentworth, 1790 –1872. Wentworth accompanied Blaxland and Lawson on their 1813 crossing of the Blue Mountains and advocated the establishment of free and representative government.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about William Wentworth from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Werriwa is named for the Aboriginal name for Lake George, which was located in the electoral division when it was first established in 1901. The name 'Werriwa' is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning 'deep water' or 'sick crawfish'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the name can be found by conducting a search on the New South Wales Geographical Names Board.
The Division of Whitlam is named for the Hon. Edward Gough Whitlam AC QC, 1916–2014. Whitlam was Prime Minister of Australia (1972–75) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1952–78).
The first electoral division of this name was created on 25 February 2016 and was first represented in 2016.
Biographical information about Edward Gough Whitlam from Obituaries Australia.
Changes to federal electoral divisions as a result of this redistribution will apply from the day on which a notice of determination is published in the Commonwealth Notices Government Gazette. This notice will be published on 10 October 2024.
Electoral events will not be contested on these new federal electoral divisions until a writ is issued for a general election following the expiry or dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Should a writ for a general election be issued before the notice of determination is published, a mini-redistribution will be conducted. For further information, see:
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.