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

Who will make the final redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory?

The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for the Australian Capital Territory.

Section 70 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that, for each redistribution of a state or territory, there will be established an augmented Electoral Commission for that state or territory. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the augmented Electoral Commission.

What is the augmented Electoral Commission for the Australian Capital Territory responsible for?

The augmented Electoral Commission is responsible for:

• considering all objections to the Redistribution Committee’s proposed redistribution and all comments on objections which were received by the specified lodgement times,
• developing a proposed redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory in accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Act,
• conducting an inquiry into objections, should one be required,
• determining the names and boundaries of electoral divisions in the Australian Capital Territory, and
• making the reasons for the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination available for public perusal.

What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for the Australian Capital Territory consider when making their redistribution of the Australian Capital Territory?

The Electoral Act requires the augmented Electoral Commission for the Australian Capital Territory to comply with the following factors when making their redistribution:

• the Australian Capital Territory is to be divided into the same number of electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the Australian Capital Territory at a general election (sub-section 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
  • As the Australian Capital Territory is entitled to three members of the House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 31 August 2017, the augmented Electoral Commission will propose three electoral divisions for the Australian Capital Territory.
• the Jervis Bay Territory in its entirety is to be included in a different Australian Capital Territory electoral division to Norfolk Island (section 56AA of the Electoral Act)
• consideration of all objections and comments on objections received by the lodgement time (sub-section 72(1) of the Electoral Act)
  • All written objections received by 6pm AEST Friday 4 May 2018 and all written comments on objections received by 6pm AEST Friday 18 May 2018 will be considered by the augmented Electoral Commission in the development of their proposed redistribution.
• as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Australian Capital Territory 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 73(4)(a) of the Electoral Act)
  • As far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Australian Capital Territory at the projection time of Thursday 13 January 2022 must be between 96,210 and 103,188.
• the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Australian Capital Territory would not be more than plus 10 per cent, or less than minus 10 per cent, of the current enrolment quota (sub-section 73(4) of the Electoral Act)
  • The number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Australian Capital Territory must be between 86,504 and 105,726
• in relation to each proposed electoral division, give due consideration to:
  1. community of interests within the proposed electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
  2. means of communication and travel within the proposed electoral division
  4. the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
  5. the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in the Australian Capital Territory, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i, ii and iv (paragraph 73(4)(b) and sub-section 73(4A) of the Electoral Act)