Who makes the final redistribution and what factors do they consider?

Who will make the final redistribution of the Northern Territory?

The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory.

Section 70 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that, for each redistribution of a state or territory, there will be established an augmented Electoral Commission for that state or territory. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the augmented Electoral Commission will be:

• the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission;
• the non-judicial member of the Electoral Commission; and
• the members of the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory

What is the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory responsible for?

The augmented Electoral Commission is responsible for:

• considering all objections to the Redistribution Committee’s proposed redistribution and all comments on objections which were received by the specified lodgement times,
• developing a proposed redistribution of the Northern Territory in accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Act,
• conducting an inquiry into objections, should one be required,
• determining the names and boundaries of electoral divisions in the Northern Territory, and
• making the reasons for the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination available for public perusal.

What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory consider when making their redistribution of the Northern Territory?

The Electoral Act requires the augmented Electoral Commission 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 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
• As the Northern Territory is entitled to two members of the House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023, the augmented Electoral Commission 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)
• consideration of all objections and comments on objections received by the lodgement time (sub-section 72(1) of the Electoral Act)
• All written objections received by 6pm ACST Friday 15 November 2024 and all written comments on objections received by 6pm ACST Friday 29 November 2024 will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission in the development of their proposed redistribution.
• 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 73(4)(a) 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 of Monday 4 September 2028 must be between 80,500 and 86,338.
• 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 73(4) of the Electoral Act)
• The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in the Northern Territory must be between 69,030 and 84,368.
• in relation to each proposed electoral division, give due consideration to:
  1. community of interests within the proposed electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
  2. means of communication and travel within the proposed electoral division
  4. the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
  5. the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in the Northern Territory, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i, ii and iv (paragraph 73(4)(b) and sub-section 73(4A) of the Electoral Act)