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Australian Electoral Commission
Victoria is undergoing a redistribution because the number of members of the House of Representatives it is entitled to has increased from 37 to 38 as a result of a determination made by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 31 August 2017.
Sub-section 59(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) specifies that a redistribution process should be undertaken when:
The redistribution formally commenced on Monday 4 September 2017.
Victoria is now entitled to 38 federal electoral divisions, which is an increase of one from 37.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose where the new electoral division should be located at two stages of the redistribution process:
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating the location of a new federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate where the new electoral division is to be located, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed new electoral division. Objections may agree or disagree with the Redistribution Committee’s proposal. Any ideas received in objections and comments on objections advocating for a particular location of the new federal electoral division will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for Victoria, who is ultimately responsible for determining the federal electoral divisions in Victoria.
Electoral divisions are required to fall within two numerical ranges:
Abolishing an electoral division will, of necessity, result in significant elector movement away from the abolished electoral division and will also require consequential boundary changes and elector movements across the state to ensure that all electoral divisions remain within the two numerical ranges.
Creating an electoral division will, of necessity, require consequential boundary changes and elector movements across the state to ensure that all electoral divisions remain within the two numerical ranges.
No. On the boundaries in place on Monday 4 September 2017:
| Electoral division | Enrolment as at Monday 4 September 2017 | Projected enrolment at Sunday 25 August 2019 | Is the requirement met? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston | 96,121 | 97,600 | No
|
| Ballarat | 114,365 | 117,272 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Ballarat is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Batman | 111,540 | 114,669 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Batman is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Bendigo | 112,053 | 114,847 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Bendigo is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Bruce | 95,417 | 97,129 | No
|
| Calwell | 111,686 | 115,471 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Calwell is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Casey | 105,287 | 107,625 | Yes |
| Chisholm | 97,811 | 100,333 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Chisholm is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Corangamite | 114,985 | 119,828 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Corangamite is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Corio | 111,252 | 113,798 | Yes |
| Deakin | 100,139 | 102,467 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Deakin is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Dunkley | 107,010 | 108,773 | Yes |
| Flinders | 119,413 | 122,834 | No
|
| Gellibrand | 111,245 | 114,860 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Gellibrand is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Gippsland | 105,907 | 106,760 | Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Gippsland is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Goldstein | 106,548 | 108,916 | Yes |
| Gorton | 121,382 | 128,705 | No
|
| Higgins | 106,308 | 109,539 | Yes |
| Holt | 121,711 | 131,083 | No
|
| Hotham | 100,580 | 102,745 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Hotham is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Indi | 105,823 | 107,510 | Yes |
| Isaacs | 107,708 | 111,982 | Yes |
| Jagajaga | 104,207 | 105,581 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Jagajaga is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Kooyong | 100,726 | 102,804 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Kooyong is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Lalor | 131,058 | 141,199 | No
|
| La Trobe | 111,035 | 116,587 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of La Trobe is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| McEwen | 140,152 | 151,144 | No
|
| McMillan | 120,880 | 125,461 | No
|
| Mallee | 99,931 | 99,874 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Mallee is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Maribyrnong | 113,038 | 116,597 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Maribyrnong is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Melbourne | 117,542 | 124,147 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Melbourne is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Melbourne Ports | 105,094 | 108,469 | Yes |
| Menzies | 98,857 | 100,436 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Menzies is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Murray | 105,643 | 106,668 | Yes – but projected enrolment for the Division of Murray is close to being 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Scullin | 113,623 | 118,128 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Scullin is more than 3.5 per cent over the projected enrolment quota |
| Wannon | 99,867 | 100,062 | No – Projected enrolment for the Division of Wannon is more than 3.5 per cent under the projected enrolment quota |
| Wills | 118,314 | 122,243 | No
|
Inserting a new electoral division into Victoria will require some consequential changes to other electoral division boundaries as creating a new electoral division is not simply a case of dividing two electoral divisions into three as doing so will result in electoral divisions which do not meet the numerical requirements.
Because the requirement to be within the specified range for both enrolment as at Monday 4 September 2017 and projected enrolment as at Sunday 25 August 2019 is not met by all 27 of Victoria's federal electoral divisions, the boundaries of these electoral divisions will need to change.
Changes will be made to some or all of the boundaries of Victoria’s federal electoral divisions. Changes may be made to those federal electoral divisions which meet the requirement as a consequence of making changes to the boundaries of those federal electoral divisions which do not meet the requirement. This is to ensure that all of Victoria’s federal electoral divisions meet the requirement.
Ideas as to what the new electoral division should be called are sought.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose names for electoral divisions at two stages of the redistribution process:
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating a new name for a federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate what their proposed name of the new electoral division is, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed name of the new federal electoral divisions. Objections may agree or disagree with the Redistribution Committee’s proposal. Any ideas received in objections and comments on objections advocating a change of name for the new federal electoral division will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for Victoria, who is ultimately responsible for determining the names of the federal electoral divisions in Victoria.
The names of the current electoral divisions may or may not change.
Individuals and organisations are able to propose alternative names for electoral divisions at two stages of the redistribution process:
The Redistribution Committee will consider any ideas it receives in suggestions and comments on suggestions advocating a change of name for a federal electoral division and in their proposed redistribution will indicate whether it has or has not proposed changing the name of a federal electoral division, together with reasons for the proposal.
Individuals and organisations can object to the Redistribution Committee's proposed names of federal electoral divisions. Objections may agree or disagree with the Redistribution Committee’s proposal. Any ideas received in objections and comments on objections advocating a change of name for a federal electoral division will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission for Victoria, who is ultimately responsible for determining the names of the federal electoral divisions in Victoria.
The Guidelines for naming federal electoral divisions were developed by the AEC from recommendations made by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in 1995 in its Report on the Effectiveness and Appropriateness of the Redistribution Provisions of Parts III and IV of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. These guidelines are non-binding but may be referred to by the Redistribution Committee for Victoria or the augmented Electoral Commission for Victoria to assist with their decision making process.
The extent to which the names of Victoria's current federal electoral divisions meet these guidelines is displayed below. The electoral divisions are sortable by clicking on the header row.
| Electoral division | Is the electoral division named for a prominent person? | Is the electoral division named for an Australian Prime Minister? | Is the electoral division name that of an original Federation electoral division? | Is the electoral division named for a geographical feature? | Is the electoral division named for an aboriginal person or word? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Ballarat | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Batman | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Bendigo | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bruce | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Calwell | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Casey | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Chisholm | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Corangamite | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corio | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deakin | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Dunkley | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Flinders | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Gellibrand | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Gippsland | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Goldstein | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Gorton | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Higgins | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Holt | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Hotham | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Indi | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Isaacs | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Jagajaga | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Kooyong | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Lalor | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| La Trobe | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Mallee | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Maribyrnong | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| McEwen | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| McMillan | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Melbourne | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Melbourne Ports | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Menzies | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Murray | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Scullin | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Wannon | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wills | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Aston | Chisholm | Gippsland | Isaacs | McEwen | Wannon |
| Ballarat | Corangamite | Goldstein | Jagajaga | McMillan | Wills |
| Batman | Corio | Gorton | Kooyong | Melbourne | |
| Bendigo | Deakin | Higgins | Lalor | Melbourne Ports | |
| Bruce | Dunkley | Holt | La Trobe | Menzies | |
| Calwell | Flinders | Hotham | Mallee | Murray | |
| Casey | Gellibrand | Indi | Maribyrnong | Scullin |
The Division of Aston is named for Tilly Aston 1873–1947, blind writer and teacher who helped found the library of the Victorian Association of Braille Writers in 1894.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Tilly Aston from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Ballarat is named for the city of Ballarat. The name is apparently derived from the Aboriginal word 'balaarat' meaning a resting or camping place.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the city of Ballarat can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Batman is named for John Batman 1801–39, the early settler and explorer, known as the 'Founder of Melbourne'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 July 1906 and was first represented in 1906.
Biographical information about John Batman from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Bendigo is named for the city which is its main centre.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the city of Bendigo can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Bruce is named for Lord Stanley Bruce 1883–1967, Prime Minister of Australia 1923–29.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 10 August 1955 and was first represented in 1955.
Biographical information about Lord Stanley Bruce from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Calwell is named for Arthur Calwell 1896–1973, Member of House of Representatives 1940–72, Leader of the Australian Labor Party 1960–67.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Arthur Calwell from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Casey is named for Lord Richard Casey 1890–1976, Governor-General of Australia 1965–69.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Biographical information about Lord Richard Casey from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Chisholm is named for Caroline Chisholm 1808–77, noted social worker and advocate of immigration to New South Wales.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Caroline Chisholm from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Corangamite is named for Lake Corangamite. The name of the lake originated from the Aboriginal word for 'bitter', describing the salt content of the lake.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about Lake Corangamite can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Corio is named for Corio Bay which originated from an Aboriginal word 'coraiyo' meaning 'small marsupial' or 'sandy cliffs'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about Corio Bay can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Deakin is named for Alfred Deakin 1856–1919, Prime Minister of Australia 1903–04, 1905–08 and 1909–10.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 July 1937 and was first represented in 1937.
Biographical information about Alfred Deakin from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Dunkley is named for Louisa Dunkley 1866–1927, founder of the Victorian Women's Post and Telegraph Association in 1900 and campaigner for equal pay for women.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Louisa Dunkley from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Flinders is named for Matthew Flinders 1774–1814, well-known navigator and explorer. The adoption of the name Australia is due to him.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Biographical information about Matthew Flinders from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Gellibrand is named for Joseph Gellibrand 1786–1836, lawyer and explorer.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about for Joseph Gellibrand from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Gippsland is named for the area which was explored by Angus McMillan in 1839. It was named after Governor Sir George Gipps.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about Gippsland can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Goldstein is named for Vida Goldstein 1869–1949, suffragist and feminist
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Vida Goldstein from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Gorton is named for former Prime Minister Sir John Gorton, who served as Prime Minister between 1968 and 1971.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 29 January 2003 and was first represented in 2004.
Biographical information about Sir John Gorton from the National Archives of Australia
The Division of Higgins is named for Henry Higgins 1851–1929, Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06, Justice of the High Court 1906–29 and President of the new Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Court 1907–21.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Henry Higgins from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Holt is named for Harold Edward Holt 1908–67, Prime Minister of Australia 1966–67, who disappeared while swimming off Portsea Beach in 1967.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Biographical information about Harold Holt from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Hotham is named for Sir Charles Hotham 1806–55, Governor of Victoria 1854–55.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 21 November 1968 and was first represented in 1969.
Biographical information about Sir Charles Hotham from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Indi is named for an Aboriginal name for the Murray River.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
The Division of Isaacs is named for Sir Isaac Isaacs 1855–1948, Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06, Chief Justice of the High Court 1930 and Governor-General of Australia 1931–36.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Sir Isaac Isaacs from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Jagajaga is named for the three principal Aboriginal elders who signed a treaty with John Batman in 1835 which intended to give the white settlers 500,000 acres of land at the north-west end of Port Phillip Bay and 100,000 acres around Geelong.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
The Division of Kooyong is named for the Aboriginal word meaning 'resting place'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented 1901.
Information about Kooyong can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Lalor is named for Peter Lalor 1827–89, leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion in 1854. In 1855 he was one of the first representatives from the goldfields elected to the Victorian Legislative Council.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Peter Lalor from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of La Trobe is named for Charles La Trobe 1801–75, first Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria 1851–54.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Charles La Trobe from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Mallee is named for the area in which it is located. Mallee is an Aboriginal word for dwarf eucalypts which grow in the area.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
The Division of Maribyrnong is named for the Maribyrnong River. Maribyrnong is an Aboriginal word for 'yam' or 'edible root'.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 13 July 1906 and was first represented in 1906.
Information about the Maribyrnong River can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of McEwen is named for Sir John McEwen 1900–80, who served as caretaker Prime Minister of Australia for three weeks 1967–68.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Sir John McEwen from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of McMillan is named for Angus McMillan 1810–65, pioneer and explorer who made several trips into Gippsland.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about Angus McMillan from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Melbourne is named for the city of Melbourne which was named in 1837 by Governor Bourke after Lord Melbourne, who was then Prime Minister of Britain.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the city of Melbourne can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Melbourne Ports is named for the area in which it is located.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
The Division of Menzies is named for Sir Robert Menzies 1894–1978, Prime Minister of Australia 1939–41 and 1949–66.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 14 September 1984 and was first represented in 1984.
Biographical information about Sir Robert Menzies from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Murray is named for the Murray River which was named by Charles Sturt in 1830 after Sir George Murray, Colonial Secretary.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Information about the Murray River can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Scullin is named for James Scullin 1876–1953, Prime Minister of Australia 1929–32.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 10 August 1955 and was first represented in 1955.
Biographical information about James Scullin from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
The Division of Wannon is named for the Wannon River which was named by Major Mitchell in 1836.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 26 September 1900 and was first represented in 1901.
Information about the Wannon River can be found by conducting a search on the VICNAMES website.
The Division of Wills is named for William Wills 1834–61, explorer and member of expedition which attempted to cross Australia in 1860–61.
The first electoral division of this name was created on 11 May 1949 and was first represented in 1949.
Biographical information about William Wills from the Australian Dictionary of Biography.
Changes to federal electoral divisions as a result of this redistribution will apply from the day on which a notice of determination is published in the Commonwealth Notices Government Gazette. This notice will be published on 13 July 2018.
Electoral events will not be contested on these new federal electoral divisions until a writ is issued for a general election following the expiry or dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Should a writ for a general election be issued before the notice of determination is published, a mini-redistribution will be conducted. For further information, see:
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.