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

Who will make the final redistribution of Western Australia?

The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia.

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 Western Australia

What is the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia 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 Western Australia 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 Western Australia, and
• making the reasons for the augmented Electoral Commission’s determination available for public perusal.

What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia consider when making their redistribution of Western Australia?

The Electoral Act requires the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia to comply with the following factors when making their redistribution:

• Western Australia 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 Western Australia at a general election (sub-section 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
  • As Western Australia is entitled to 16 members of House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023, the augmented Electoral Commission will propose 16 electoral divisions for Western Australia.
• 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 AWST Friday 28 June 2024 and all written comments on objections received by 6pm AWST Friday 12 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 Western Australia 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 WA at the projection time of Friday 24 March 2028 must be between 117,359 and 125,871.
• the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in Western Australia would not be more than plus 10 per cent, or less than minus 10 per cent, of the redistribution quota (sub-section 73(4) of the Electoral Act)
  • The number of electors enrolled in each federal electoral division in WA must be between 102,158 and 124,858.
• 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 Western Australia, 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)