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

Who will make the proposed redistribution of Tasmania?

The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for Tasmania.

Section 60 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that for each redistribution of a state or territory, a Redistribution Committee for that state or territory will be appointed. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the Redistribution Committee.

What factors will the Redistribution Committee for Tasmania consider when making their proposed redistribution of Tasmania?

The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Committee for Tasmania to comply with the following factors when making their proposed redistribution:

• Tasmania is to be divided into the same number of federal electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in Tasmania at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
  • As Tasmania is entitled to five members of the House of Representatives, as determined by the then acting Electoral Commissioner on 13 November 2014, the Redistribution Committee will propose five electoral divisions for Tasmania.
• all suggestions and comments on suggestions received by the lodgement time (sub-section 64(4) of the Electoral Act)
  • All written suggestions received by 6pm AEDT Friday 2 December 2016 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm AEDT Friday 16 December 2016 will be considered by the Redistribution Committee in the development of their proposed redistribution.
• as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Tasmania 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 66(3)(a) of the Electoral Act)
  • As far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Tasmania at the projection time of 14 May 2021 must be between 74 289 and 79 677.
• the number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Tasmania would not be more than plus 10 per cent or less than minus 10 per cent of the current enrolment quota (sub-section 66(3) of the Electoral Act)
  • The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in Tasmania must be between 67 513 and 82 515.
• in relation to each proposed federal electoral division, give due consideration to:
  1. community of interests within the proposed federal electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
  2. means of communication and travel within the proposed federal electoral division
  3. the physical features and area of the proposed federal electoral division, and
  4. the boundaries of existing federal electoral divisions in Tasmania, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i to iii (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)