Proposed redistribution of Western Australia into electoral divisions

Updated: 19 August 2015

Chapter 3 - What next?

This chapter outlines the legislative requirements that are to be met following the release of the proposed redistribution, through to the final determination of the names and boundaries of electoral divisions in Western Australia.

  1. This report sets out the Committee’s proposed boundaries and names of the federal electoral divisions for Western Australia, together with the Committee’s reasons for this proposed redistribution. Interested individuals and organisations are able to consider this proposal and lodge objections prior to the finalisation of electoral boundaries and names by the augmented Electoral Commission.
  2. The timetable for the remainder of this redistribution process is set out in Appendix H.

Invitation for objections

  1. Written objections to any aspect of the proposed redistribution must be lodged with the Electoral Commission by 6pm (AWST) on Friday 18 September 2015. Any objections received after this time cannot be considered.

Invitation to provide comments on objections

  1. All objections received will be made available for public inspection from Monday 21 September 2015 on the AEC website and at the office of the Australian Electoral Officer for Western Australia.
  2. Interested individuals and organisations can lodge written comments on the objections with the Electoral Commission up until 6pm (AWST) on Friday 2 October 2015. Comments received after this time cannot be considered.
  3. All comments received will be made available for public inspection from Monday 5 October 2015 on the AEC website and at the office of the Australian Electoral Officer for Western Australia.

Objections and comments on objections

  1. Written objections and comments on objections are considered by the augmented Electoral Commission. The augmented Electoral Commission comprises of:
    • the three members of the Electoral Commission – the Chairperson, the Electoral Commissioner and a non-judicial member, currently the Australian Statistician, and
    • the three remaining members of the Committee.
  2. As part of its considerations, the augmented Electoral Commission may hold an inquiry into any objection or comment on an objection.

The second redistribution proposal

  1. At the conclusion of its considerations, the augmented Electoral Commission will announce its own proposed redistribution. If the augmented Electoral Commission considers that this proposal is significantly different from the Committee’s proposal, the augmented Electoral Commission will invite further objections. Advice will be provided should this prove necessary.

Final determination of boundaries and names of divisions

  1. The augmented Electoral Commission will make a final determination of boundaries and names of the electoral divisions for Western Australia by way of notice published in the Gazette on 19 January 2016.
  2. Copies of the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination and reasons for that determination, together with the work of the Committee, will be tabled in both Houses of Parliament. Once this has occurred, this material will be made available to the public via the AEC website.

How to lodge an objection or comment on an objection

  1. Objections and comments on objections may be lodged via the AEC website. Objections and comments on objections can also be submitted in the following ways:
    • by email to: FedRedistribution-WA@aec.gov.au
    • in person during business hours to: The Electoral Commission,
      Level 13, 200 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000
    • by mail to: The Electoral Commission, PO Box 7081, Cloisters Square PO, WA, 6850
    • by fax to: 08 6363 8016.

Further information

  1. A wide range of information is available online, including: