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Australian Electoral Commission
Determining the names of federal electoral divisions is part of the process of conducting a federal redistribution within a state or territory.
The criteria used by redistribution committees to propose the names of electoral divisions, and used by augmented electoral commissions to determine the names of electoral divisions, have previously been the subject of recommendations from the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. From these recommendations, a set of guidelines were developed as a point of reference only.
It should be noted that redistribution committees and augmented electoral commissions are in no way bound by the guidelines.
In the main, divisions should be named after deceased Australians who have rendered outstanding service to their country.
When new divisions are created the names of former Prime Ministers should be considered.
Every effort should be made to retain the names of original federation divisions.
Locality or place names should generally be avoided, but in certain areas the use of geographical features may be appropriate (e.g. Perth).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names should be used where appropriate and as far as possible existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander divisional names should be retained.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.