Why is the Queensland undergoing a redistribution?
Queensland is undergoing a redistribution because more than seven years have elapsed since the last redistribution was determined.
Sub-section 59(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) specifies that a redistribution process should be undertaken when:
- the number of members of the House of Representatives to which a state or territory is entitled has changed, or
- the number of electors in more than one-third of the electoral divisions in a state (or one of the electoral divisions in the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory) deviates from the average divisional enrolment by over ten per cent for a period of more than two months, or
- a period of seven years has elapsed since the last redistribution process was determined.
The most recent redistribution of Queensland was determined on 15 December 2009. The redistribution was due to commence in December 2016/January 2017.
The redistribution formally commenced on 6 January 2017.
How many federal electoral divisions will there be after the redistribution?
Queensland remains entitled to thirty federal electoral divisions.
Will the boundaries of the electoral divisions change?
Electoral divisions are required to fall within two numerical ranges:
- the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division as at Friday 6 January 2017 must be
between
minus 10 per cent and plus 10 per cent of the current enrolment quota of 103,203.
- The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland must therefore be between 92,883 and 113,523.
- as far as practicable, the projected number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in
Queensland
at the projection time of Monday 27 September 2021 would be between minus 3.5 per cent and plus 3.5 per
cent of the
projected enrolment quota of 110,124.
- As far as practicable, the number of electors projected to be enrolled in each federal electoral division in Queensland at the projection time of Monday 27 September 2021 would be between 106,270 and 113,978.
Do all Queensland federal electoral divisions meet the requirement?
No. On the boundaries in place on 6 January 2017:
- 11 of Queensland's federal electoral divisions do not meet this requirement, and
- three of Queensland's federal electoral divisions are close to not meeting this requirement.
| Electoral division | Enrolment as at Friday 6 January 2017 | Projected enrolment at Monday 27 September 2021 | Is the requirement met? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | 99,942 | 107,316 | Yes |
| Bonner | 100,770 | 107,808 | Yes |
| Bowman | 104,241 | 109,932 | Yes |
| Brisbane | 108,157 | 115,380 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Brisbane is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Capricornia | 98,847 | 105,394 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Capricornia is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Dawson | 103,910 | 110,655 | Yes |
| Dickson | 100,974 | 109,330 | Yes |
| Fadden | 107,071 | 114,465 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Fadden is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Fairfax | 109,152 | 115,329 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Fairfax is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Fisher | 99,528 | 104,427 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Fisher is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Flynn | 100,236 | 107,483 | Yes |
| Forde | 100,120 | 108,502 | Yes |
| Griffith | 106,999 | 115,269 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Griffith is more than 3.5 per cent of the projected enrolment quota. |
| Groom | 102,009 | 108,463 | Yes |
| Herbert | 105,077 | 113,235 | Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Herbert is close to being 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Hinkler | 101,482 | 105,850 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Hinkler is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Kennedy | 100,404 | 106,359 | Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Kennedy is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Leichhardt | 109,913 | 118,266 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Leichhardt is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Lilley | 107,162 | 114,595 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Lilley is more than 3.5 per cent of the projected enrolment quota. |
| Longman | 106,098 | 112,971 | Yes |
| Maranoa | 103,151 | 109,197 | Yes |
| McPherson | 104,405 | 110,478 | Yes |
| Moncrieff | 103,327 | 108,715 | Yes |
| Moreton | 97,318 | 105,279 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Moreton is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Oxley | 96,148 | 104,943 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Oxley is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota. |
| Petrie | 106,757 | 113,340 | Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Petrie is close to being 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota. |
| Rankin | 102,349 | 111,658 | Yes |
| Ryan | 104,543 | 111,324 | Yes |
| Wide Bay | 103,780 | 108,219 | Yes |
| Wright | 102,234 | 109,551 | Yes |
What is the result of requirement not being met?
Because the requirement to be within the specified range for both enrolment as at 6 January 2017 and projected enrolment as at 27 September 2021 is not met by all 30 of Queensland's federal electoral divisions, the boundaries will need to change.
Changes will be made to some or all of the boundaries of Queensland's 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 Queensland's federal electoral divisions meet the requirement.
What will the name of the new electoral division be?
Ideas as to what the new electoral division should be called are sought.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose names for electoral divisions at two stages of the redistribution process:
- the suggestions and comments on suggestions stage, and
- the objections and comments on objections stage.
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating a new name for a federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate what their proposed name of the new electoral division is, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed name of the new 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 the new federal electoral division will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for the ACT, who is ultimately responsible for determining the names of the federal electoral divisions in the ACT.
Will the names of the current electoral divisions change?
The names of the 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 suggestions and comments on suggestions stage, and
- the objections and comments on objections stage.
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. 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 Queensland, who is ultimately responsible for determining the names of the federal electoral divisions in Queensland.
Information about the names of current federal electoral divisions in Queensland
How do current electoral division names meet the guidelines for naming electoral divisions?
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 Queensland or the augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland to assist with their decision making process.
The extent to which the names of Queensland's current federal electoral divisions meet these guidelines is displayed below. The electoral divisions are sortable by clicking on the header row.
| Electoral division | Is the electoral division named for a prominent person? | 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 a geographical feature? | Is the electoral division named for an aboriginal person or word? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bonner | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Bowman | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Brisbane | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Capricornia | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dawson | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Dickson | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Fadden | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fairfax | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Fisher | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Flynn | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Forde | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Griffith | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Groom | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Herbert | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Hinkler | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Kennedy | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Leichhardt | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Lilley | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Longman | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Maranoa | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| McPherson | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Moncrieff | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Moreton | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Oxley | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Petrie | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Rankin | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Ryan | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Wide Bay | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wright | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Blair | Dawson | Flynn | Hinkler | Maranoa | Petrie |
| Bonner | Dickson | Forde | Kennedy | McPherson | Rankin |
| Bowman | Fadden | Griffith | Leichhardt | Moncrieff | Ryan |
| Brisbane | Fairfax | Groom | Lilley | Moreton | Wide Bay |
| Capricornia | Fisher | Herbert | Longman | Oxley | Wright |
The Division of Blair is named for Harold Blair AO 1924–76, a noted Australian tenor and Aboriginal activist.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 10 December 1997 and was first represented in 1998.
More information
Biographical information about Harold Blair from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Bonner is named for Neville Thomas Bonner AO in recognition of his services rendered as a Senator and leader of indigenous Australia.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 25 November 2003 and was first represented in 2004.
More information
Biographical information about Neville Bonner from the National Archives of Australia.
Origins of name
The Division of Bowman is named for David Bowman (1860–1916), a Member of the Queensland Parliament 1904–16.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about David Bowman from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Brisbane is named after the city of Brisbane which was named after Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane (1773–1860), Governor of New South Wales 1820–25.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Information about the city of Brisbane can be found by conducting a place names search on the Queensland Government website.
Origins of name
The Division of Capricornia is named after a district name apparently originating from the fact that the Tropic of Capricorn passes through the area.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Origins of name
The Division of Dawson is named for Andrew (Anderson) Dawson 1863–1910, Queensland's first Labor Premier in 1899.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about Andrew Dawson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Dickson is named for Sir James Dickson 1832–1901, a leading advocate of Federation, Queensland Premier 1898–99 and Minister for Defence in the first Federal Ministry.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 28 January 1992 and was first represented in 1993.
More information
Biographical information about Sir James Dickson from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Fadden is named for Sir Arthur Fadden (1895–1973), Prime Minister of Australia August–October 1941.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 31 October 1977 and was first represented in 1977.
More information
Biographical information about Sir Arthur Fadden from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Fairfax is named for Ruth Fairfax 1878–1948, a founder of the Country Women's Association and its first Queensland president.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Ruth Fairfax from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Fisher is named for Andrew Fisher (1862–1928), Prime Minister of Australia 1908–09, 1910–13 and 1914–15.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about Andrew Fisher from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Flynn is named for Reverend John Flynn (1880–1951), founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 22 November 2006 and was first represented in 2007.
More information
Biographical information about Reverend John Flynn from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Forde is named for Francis Michael Forde (1890–1983), Member of Legislative Assembly 1917–22 (in Queensland), Member of House of Representatives 1922–46, Prime Minister of Australia 6–12 July 1945.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Francis Forde from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Griffith is named for Sir Samuel Griffith (1845–1920), Premier of Queensland 1883–88, 1890–93 and Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia 1903–19.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 1 August 1934 and was first represented in 1934.
More information
Biographical information about Sir Samuel Griffith from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Groom is named for after Sir Littleton Groom (1867–1936), Member of the House of Representatives 1901–29, 1931–36 and Speaker of the House of Representatives 1926–29.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Sir Littleton Groom from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Herbert is named for Sir Robert Herbert (1831–1905), the first Premier of Queensland 1860–66.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Biographical information about Sir Robert Herbert from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Hinkler is named for Bert Hinkler (1892–1933), the pioneer aviator who was the first person to fly solo from England to Australia in 1928.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Bert Hinkler from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Kennedy is named for Edmund Kennedy (1818–48), explorer.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Biographical information about Edmund Kennedy from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of leichhardt is named for the Rt Hon. Sir John Grey Gorton GCMG AC CH, 1911-2002. Gorton was Prime Minister of Australia (1968–71), a Senator for Victoria (1949–68) and a Member of the House of Representatives (1968–75).
Creation of electoral division
The first electoral division of this name was created on 29 January 2003 and was first represented in 2004.
More information
Biographical information about Sir John Gorton from the National Archives of Australia
Origins of name
The Division of Lilley is named for Sir Charles Lilley (1830–97), former Premier and Chief Justice of Queensland.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 1 February 1913 and was first represented in 1913.
More information
Biographical information about Sir Charles Lilley from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Longman is named for Irene Longman (1877–1964), the first female member of the Queensland Parliament 1929–1932, and the third woman elected to a parliament in Australia.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 1 December 1994 and was first represented in 1996.
More information
Biographical information about Irene Longman from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Maranoa is named for the district name which was taken from the Maranoa River which passes through the area. The river was discovered by Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846 and retained its Aboriginal name.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Information about the Maranoa River can be found by conducting a place names search on the Queensland Government website.
Origins of name
The Division of McPherson is named for the McPherson Range which forms the south western boundary of this electoral division.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Information about the McPherson Range can be found by conducting a place names search on the Queensland Government website.
Origins of name
The Division of Moncrieff is named for Gladys Moncrieff (1892–1976), a light opera and musical comedy singer.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Gladys Moncrieff from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Moreton is named after the area in which it is located. Captain Cook named Moreton Bay in 1770 after the Earl of Morton, which was misspelt to become Moreton.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Information about Moreton Bay can be found by conducting a place names search on the Queensland Government website.
Origins of name
The Division of Oxley is named for John Oxley (1783–1828), a noted explorer and surveyor.
Creation of electoral division
An electoral division with the name of 'Oxley' was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901. The name was discontinued in 1934.
An electoral division of 'Oxley' was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about John Oxley from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Petrie is named for Andrew Petrie (1798–1872), a noted civil engineer, pioneer, explorer and the first free settler in Brisbane in 1837.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about Andrew Petrie from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Rankin is named for Dame Annabelle Rankin (1908–86), the first Queensland woman elected to the Senate 1946–71 and the first Australian woman to hold a top-level diplomatic post as High Commissioner to New Zealand 1971–74.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 13 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
More information
Biographical information about Dame Annabelle Rankin from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Ryan is named for Thomas Ryan (1876–1921), Premier of Queensland 1915–9.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
More information
Biographical information about Thomas Ryan from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Origins of name
The Division of Wide Bay is named after the district which takes its name from the bay sighted by Captain Cook on 18 May 1770.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 4 December 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
More information
Information about Wide Bay can be found by conducting a place names search on the Queensland Government website.
Origins of name
The Division of Wright is named for Judith Wright (1915–2000) who made a significant contribution to Australia as a social and environmental activist, and poet. She was a resident of Queensland for over 30 years, 20 of which were spent at Mt Tamborine, which is located within the boundaries of this electoral division.
Creation of electoral division
The electoral division was created on 15 December 2009 and was first represented in 2010.
More information
Biographical information about Judith Wright from the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.When will the redistribution come into effect?
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 27 March 2018.
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.
ON THIS PAGE
- Why is the Queensland undergoing a redistribution?
- How many federal electoral divisions will there be after the redistribution?
- Will the boundaries of the electoral divisions change?
- Do all Queensland federal electoral divisions meet the requirement?
- What is the result of requirement not being met?
- What will the name of the new electoral division be?
- Will the names of the current electoral divisions change?
- Information about the names of current federal electoral divisions in Queensland
- When will the redistribution come into effect?