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Proposed federal electoral divisions for Tasmania released

Updated: 5 May 2017

The Redistribution Committee for Tasmania today published its report proposing new boundaries for Tasmania’s five federal electoral divisions.

The Chair of the Committee and Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers said the redistribution was required under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) as more than seven years had elapsed since a federal redistribution was last undertaken in Tasmania.

In making its proposal, the Redistribution Committee was required to consider enrolment numbers, public suggestions and comments, communities of interest, communication and transport links, geographic or constructed features able to be used as electoral boundaries and the current federal electoral boundaries.

Proposal

The proposal will see:

  • the Municipality of West Tamar in its entirety located in the proposed Division of Bass
  • the Municipality of Latrobe in its entirety located in the proposed Division of Braddon
  • the south-western boundary of the proposed Division of Denison be the Huon Highway
  • the Municipality of Brighton in its entirety located in the proposed Division of Lyons
  • the Municipality of Dorset located in the proposed Division of Lyons
  • the Municipality of Flinders located in the proposed Division of Lyons, and
  • the Richmond area located in the proposed Division of Lyons.

The proposed changes reflect the differing rates of population and enrolment growth across Tasmania, as well as taking into account the projected enrolment in the five electoral divisions through to 14 May 2021.

Mr Rogers said that the Committee faced a situation where by May 2021 the enrolment totals for two of the five Tasmanian electoral divisions would not meet the numerical rules and requirements under the Electoral Act.

“The status quo cannot be maintained, because without boundary adjustment, electoral enrolment in the Division of Braddon will become comparatively too small and in the Division of Franklin too large,” Mr Rogers said.

After careful deliberation, the Committee has proposed retaining the names of Bass, Braddon, Denison, Franklin and Lyons.

For further details, please see the full proposal report including factors considered by the Tasmanian Redistribution Committee and maps of the proposed electoral divisions.

Objections

The consultative nature of the redistribution process continues with individuals and organisations now able to lodge objections to the Committee’s proposed divisions.

Written objections must be lodged no later than 6pm (AEST) Friday 2 June 2017. The best way to lodge an objection is online. Objections can also be submitted via:

  • Email: FedRedistribution-TAS@aec.gov.au
  • In person: The Australian Electoral Commission (Att: Redistribution Secretariat), at Ground Floor, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart (business hours only)
  • Mail: The Australian Electoral Commission (Att: Redistribution Secretariat), GPO Box 520, Hobart TAS 7001 or
  • Fax: 02 6293 7660.

All objections received by the deadline will be available for public inspection on the Ground Floor, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart and on the AEC website from Monday 5 June 2017.

Comments on the objections will then be accepted until 6pm (AEST) Friday 16 June 2017. All comments on objections received by the deadline will be available for public inspection on the Ground Floor, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart and on the AEC website from Monday 19 June 2017.

Editor’s notes:

The redistribution of Tasmania’s Legislative Council divisions is a separate process not administered by the AEC and is not related to federal Parliament. Information about this process can be found at: 2016 -17 Legislative Council Electoral Boundaries Redistribution.