Who makes the proposed redistribution of Western Australia and what factors do they consider?
The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for Western Australia.
Section 60 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that for each redistribution of a state or territory, a Redistribution Committee for that state or territory will be appointed. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the Redistribution Committee.
Please note: The members of the Redistribution Committee will be advised following their appointment.
What factors will the Redistribution Committee for Western Australia consider when making their proposed redistribution of Western Australia?
The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Committee for Western Australia to comply with the following factors when making their proposed redistribution:
- Western Australia is to be divided into the same number of federal electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in Western Australia at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
- As Western Australia is entitled to 16 members of the House of Representatives, determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023, the Redistribution Committee will propose 16 electoral divisions for Western Australia.
- consideration of all suggestions and comments on suggestions received by the lodgement
time (sub-section 64(4)
of the Electoral Act)
- all written suggestions received by 6pm AWST Friday 17 November 2023 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm AWST Friday 1 December 2023 will be considered by the Redistribution Committee in the development of their proposed redistribution
- as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral
division in Western Australia
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)
- as far as practicable, the number of electors projected to be enrolled in each federal electoral division in Western Australia at the projection time of Friday 24 March 2028 must be between 117,359 and 125,871
- the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Western Australia
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)
- the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Western Australia must be between 102,158 and 124,858
- in relation to each proposed federal electoral division, give due consideration to:
- community of interests within the proposed federal electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
- means of communication and travel within the proposed federal electoral division
- the physical features and area of the proposed federal electoral division, and
- the boundaries of existing federal electoral divisions in Western Australia, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i, ii and iv (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)