The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) outlines the required processes for redistributions.
Who will make the final redistribution of Tasmania?
The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania.
For each redistribution of a state or territory, the Electoral Act (section 70) requires establishment of an augmented Electoral Commission for that state or territory. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the augmented Electoral Commission:
- the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission
- the non-judicial member of the Electoral Commission
- the members of the Redistribution Committee for Tasmania.
The names of members will be published when the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania is constituted.
What is the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania responsible for?
The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania is responsible for:
- considering all objections to the Redistribution Committee’s proposed redistribution and all comments on objections received within the specified timeframes
- developing a proposed redistribution of Tasmania
- conducting an inquiry into objections, if required
- determining the final names and boundaries of electoral divisions in Tasmania
- making public the reasons for its final determination.
What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania consider when making their redistribution of Tasmania?
The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania must comply with the following factors when making its redistribution:
- Tasmania 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 Tasmania at a general election (sub-section 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
- Tasmania is entitled to five members of the House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023. The augmented Electoral Commission will therefore propose five electoral divisions for Tasmania
- consideration of all objections and comments on objections received by the lodgement time (sub-section 72(1) of the Electoral Act)
- as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each 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 73(4)(a) of the Electoral Act)
- the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in Tasmania 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)
- in relation to each proposed electoral division, give due consideration to:
- community of interests within the proposed electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests,
- means of communication and travel within the proposed electoral division,
- the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
- the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in Tasmania, 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).
Note: Previous amendments to the Electoral Act have removed sub-paragraph 73(4)(b)(iii).