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

Updated: 13 April 2018

Who will make the final redistribution of South Australia?

The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia.

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.

The augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia is:

Position on the augmented Electoral Commission Name Basis for membership
Chair The Hon. Dennis Cowdroy OAM QC Chairperson of the Electoral Commission
Member Mr David Kalisch non-judicial member of the Electoral Commission
Member* Mr Tom Rogers Electoral Commissioner
Member* Mr Martyn Hagan Australian Electoral Officer for South Australia
Member* Mr Michael Burdett Surveyor-General of South Australia
Member* Mr Andrew Richardson Auditor-General of South Australia

Note: * indicates the members of the Redistribution Committee for South Australia.

What is the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia 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 South Australia 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 South Australia, and
  • making the reasons for the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination available for public perusal.

What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia consider when making their redistribution of South Australia?

The Electoral Act requires the augmented Electoral Commission for South Australia to comply with the following factors when making their redistribution:

  • South Australia is to be divided into the same number of electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in South Australia at a general election (sub-section 73(3) 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 11 May 2018 and all written comments on objections received by 6pm ACST Friday 25 May 2018 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 electoral division in South 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 73(4)(a) of the Electoral Act)
    • As far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in South Australia at the projection time of Thursday 20 January 2022 must be between 118,436 and 127,026.
  • the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division South Australia would not be more than plus 10 per cent, or less than minus 10 per cent, of the current enrolment quota (sub-section 73(4) of the Electoral Act)
    • The number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in South Australia must be between 107,553 and 131,453.
  • 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
    3. the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
    4. the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in South Australia, 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)