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

Who will make the final redistribution of New South Wales?

The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales.

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 will be:

  • the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission;
  • the non-judicial member of the Electoral Commission; and
  • the members of the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales.
The augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales is:
Position on the augmented Electoral Commission Name Basis for membership
Chair The Hon. Ms Susan Kenny AM KC Chairperson of the Electoral Commission
Member Dr David Gruen AO Non-judicial member of the Electoral Commission
Member* Mr Tom Rogers Electoral Commissioner
Member* Ms Rebecca Main Australian Electoral Officer for New South Wales
Member* Mrs Narelle Underwood Surveyor-General of New South Wales
Member* Mr Bola Oyetunji Auditor-General for New South Wales

Note: *indicates the members of the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales.

What is the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales 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 New South Wales 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 New South Wales, and
  • making the reasons for the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination available for public perusal.

What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales consider when making their redistribution of New South Wales?

The Electoral Act requires the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales to comply with the following factors when making their redistribution:

  • New South Wales 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 New South Wales at a general election (sub-section 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
    • As New South Wales is entitled to 46 members of House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023, the augmented Electoral Commission will propose 46 electoral divisions for New South Wales.
  • 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 12 July 2024 and all written comments on objections received by 6pm AEST Friday 26 July 2024 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 New South Wales 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 federal electoral division in New South Wales at the projection time of Monday 10 April 2028 must be between 125,085 and 134,157.
  • the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in New South Wales would not be more than plus 10 per cent, or less than minus 10 per cent, of the current redistribution quota (sub-section 73(4) of the Electoral Act)
    • The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in New South Wales must be between 108,910 and 133,112.
  • 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
    1. the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
    2. the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in New South Wales, 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)
Updated: 11 June 2024