How would a mini-redistribution work for Victoria?

For general information about how mini-redistributions work, see: How would a mini-redistribution work?

Will a mini-redistribution of Victoria be required?

A mini-redistribution of Victoria will only be required if the Governor-General issues the writ for a general election for the House of Representatives before 26 July 2021.

Who would conduct a mini-redistribution of Victoria?

In accordance with sub-section 76(2) of the Electoral Act, a mini-redistribution of Victoria would be conducted by:

• the Electoral Commissioner
• the Australian Electoral Officer for Victoria.

What are the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions for Victoria?

A list of the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions is available in: Victoria – contiguous electoral divisions

What enrolment data should be used?

The enrolment data as at the end of the month is published on the online Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

This monthly enrolment data is also published on the AEC website, including as a csv file. 

As this data is only published on the AEC website once it has been published in Gazette, users are reminded to check to ensure they are using the most recently published enrolment data.

Which mini-redistribution approach would apply in Victoria?

As the Electoral Commissioner determined on 3 July 2020 that Victoria’s entitlement to members of the House of Representatives increased by one from 38 to 39, the steps to be followed would be:

• The Redistribution Commissioners prepare a list identifying all the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions in Victoria
• The number of electors enrolled in each possible pair of contiguous electoral divisions is identified.  This is done by using the enrolment statistics for Victoria published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – that is, using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the day on which the Governor-General issued the writs for a general House of Representatives election
• The Redistribution Commissioners set aside the pair of contiguous electoral divisions with the greatest number of electors enrolled
• The Redistribution Commissioners divide the set aside pair of contiguous electoral divisions into three electoral divisions.
• The basis for dividing the two electoral divisions into three is Statistical Area 1s (SA1s).  With the exception of those SA1s which are split as a result of a previous redistribution, SA1s cannot be split to create the new electoral divisions.
• Each of the three new electoral divisions will contain, as far as is practicable, the same number of electors.
• With the exception of including an island, the boundaries of the three new electoral divisions will form an unbroken line.
• The Redistribution Commissioners will name the three new electoral divisions as follows:
• the electoral division containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Division of A will be given the name of the Division of A
• the electoral division containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Division of B will be given the name of the Division of B
• the remaining electoral division will be named after both of the old divisions with these names in alphabetical order and hyphenated. The third electoral division will be given the name of the Division of A-B

• The Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument determining the names and boundaries of electoral divisions in Victoria.

Some scenarios showing how this would work are available in: How would a mini-redistribution work in practice?