Victorians have chance to shape new federal electorates

Updated: 16 September 2020

Members of the public are being invited to propose changes to the boundaries and names of federal electorates in Victoria.

Population growth means Victoria’s entitlement to seats in the House of Representatives has risen from 38 to 39, and this will require most of the state’s federal divisions to be altered to some degree.

From today, 16 September, members of the public can start lodging written submissions with the Redistribution Committee for Victoria.

The deadline for submissions is 6pm AEDT on Friday 16 October 2020, and written suggestions will be published on the Australian Electoral Commission website on Monday 19 October 2020. The public will then have until 6pm AEDT on Friday 30 October 2020 to lodge written comments on suggestions.

The Australian Electoral Commissioner and Chair of the Redistribution Committee, Tom Rogers, said the Committee would review all ideas, suggestions and comments, and then release proposed division names and boundaries in early 2021.

“Carrying out regular reviews of federal divisions is essential to the maintenance of our fair, open and internationally admired Australian electoral system,” Mr Rogers said.

“It is particularly important this time around in Victoria because – in light of a recent determination based on fresh population figures – the state’s entitlement has risen from 38 to 39 House seats.

“The Committee is inviting people to put forward, in writing, their ideas about the names of federal divisions, where the boundaries should be, or both.”

To lodge suggestions or obtain more information, visit the AEC website’s special Victorian redistribution page.

Other avenues for submissions are:

  • Email - Via our online form
  • Fax – 02 6293 7664
  • Post – Redistribution Committee for Victoria, Australian Electoral Commission, Locked Bag 4007, Canberra ACT 2601.

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