The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) outlines the required processes for redistributions.
Who will make the final redistribution of Queensland?
The final redistribution will be made by the augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland.
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 Queensland.
The names of members will be published when the augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland is constituted.
What is the augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland responsible for?
The augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland 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 Queensland
- conducting an inquiry into objections, if required
- determining the final names and boundaries of electoral divisions in Queensland
- making public the reasons for its final determination.
What factors will the augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland consider when making their redistribution of Queensland?
The augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland must comply with the following factors when making its redistribution:
- Queensland 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 Queensland at a general election
(sub-section 73(3) of the Electoral Act)
- Queensland is entitled to 30 members of House of Representatives, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on Thursday 27 July 2023. The augmented Electoral Commission will therefore propose 30 electoral divisions for Queensland.
- 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 Queensland 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 Queensland 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 Queensland, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration of 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).