How would a mini-redistribution work for Western Australia?

For general information about how mini-redistributions work, see: How would a mini-redistribution work?

Will a mini-redistribution of Western Australia be required?

A mini-redistribution of Western Australia will only be required if the Governor-General issues the writ for a general election for the House of Representatives before the current Western Australian redistribution is determined on 24 September 2024.

Who would conduct a mini-redistribution of Western Australia?

In accordance with sub-section 76(2) of the Electoral Act, a mini-redistribution of Western Australia would be conducted by:

• the Electoral Commissioner
• the Australian Electoral Officer for Western Australia.

What are the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions for Western Australia?

A list of the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions is available in: Western Australia – contiguous electoral divisions

What enrolment data should be used?

The enrolment data as at the end of the month is published on the online Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

This monthly enrolment data is also published on the AEC website, including as a csv file. 

As this data is only published on the AEC website once it has been published in the Gazette, users are reminded to check to ensure they are using the most recently published enrolment data.

Which mini-redistribution approach would apply in Western Australia?

As the Electoral Commissioner determined on 27 July 2023 that Western Australia’s entitlement to members of the House of Representatives increased by one from 15 to 16, the steps to be followed would be:

• The Redistribution Commissioners prepare a list identifying all the pairs of contiguous electoral divisions in Western Australia
• The number of electors enrolled in each possible pair of contiguous electoral divisions is identified.  This is done by using the enrolment statistics for Western Australia published in the Gazette immediately prior to the relevant day – that is, using the enrolment statistics published in the Gazette immediately prior to the day on which the Governor-General issued the writs for a general House of Representatives election
• The Redistribution Commissioners set aside the pair of contiguous electoral divisions with the greatest number of electors enrolled
• The Redistribution Commissioners divide the set aside pair of contiguous electoral divisions into three electoral divisions.
• The basis for dividing the two electoral divisions into three is Statistical Area 1s (SA1s).  With the exception of those SA1s which are split as a result of a previous redistribution, SA1s cannot be split to create the new electoral divisions.
• Each of the three new electoral divisions will contain, as far as is practicable, the same number of electors.
• With the exception of including an island, the boundaries of the three new electoral divisions will form an unbroken line.
• The Redistribution Commissioners will name the three new electoral divisions as follows:
• the electoral division containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Division of A will be given the name of the Division of A
• the electoral division containing the greatest number of electors who were enrolled in the old Division of B will be given the name of the Division of B
• the remaining electoral division will be named after both of the old divisions with these names in alphabetical order and hyphenated. The third electoral division will be given the name of the Division of A-B
• The Redistribution Commissioners sign the written instrument determining the names and boundaries of electoral divisions in the state or territory.

Some scenarios showing how this would work are available in: How would a mini-redistribution work in practice?