Who makes the proposed redistribution of Northern Territory and what factors do they consider?
The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory.
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 the Northern Territory consider when making their proposed redistribution of the Northern Territory?
The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory to comply with the following factors when making their proposed redistribution:
- the Northern Territory 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 the Northern Territory at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
- As the Northern Territory is entitled to two members of the House of Representatives, determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023, the Redistribution Committee will propose two electoral divisions for Northern Territory.
- the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands are to be included in the same electoral division in the Northern Territory (section 56A of the Electoral Act)
- all suggestions and comments on suggestions received by the lodgement time (sub-section 64(4) of the Electoral Act)
- as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in the Northern Territory 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)
- the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in the Northern Territory 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)
- 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 the Northern Territory, 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)