Determination of Names and Boundaries of Federal Electoral Divisions in the Northern Territory

Overview

The Determination of Names and Boundaries of Federal Electoral Divisions in the Northern Territory 2017 was enacted to address the need for the formal establishment and delineation of federal electoral divisions in the Northern Territory, ensuring that the region is fairly and adequately represented in the House of Representatives. This determination was made under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, with the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory acting in accordance with its legal mandates. The Commission's decisions were guided by the requirements of the Electoral Act, specifically sections 56A and sub-sections 73(3), 73(4) and 73(4A). The primary objective of this legislation is to clearly define the electoral divisions of Lingiari and Solomon, ensuring that these divisions comply with the electoral representation requirements of the Northern Territory. These electoral divisions will apply from 7 February 2017, continuing until a new determination is made and published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

Scope and Application

The C2017G00146 Determination of names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in the Northern Territory applies to the two electoral divisions within the Northern Territory, namely Lingiari and Solomon. This determination is made pursuant to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, with the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory acting as the body responsible for defining the boundaries and names of these divisions. The decision-making process adheres to specific sections of the Electoral Act, including sections 56A, 73(3), 73(4), and 73(4A), ensuring that the electoral divisions are established in compliance with federal electoral laws. The boundaries are displayed on the Australian Electoral Commission website and officially lodged in the National Office of the Australian Electoral Commission in Canberra. These electoral divisions will be effective from 7 February 2017 until further notice is published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette, thereby governing the electoral representation within the Northern Territory for the specified period.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Determination of names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in the Northern Territory (C2017G00146) establish the electoral divisions within the Northern Territory, as per section 73(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. According to this legislation, the Northern Territory is entitled to two members of the House of Representatives, with the electoral divisions named Lingiari and Solomon. The boundaries of these divisions are defined by the maps available on the Australian Electoral Commission website and are officially lodged in file number 16/961 at the National Office of the Australian Electoral Commission in Canberra. This determination is made by the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory, following the requirements outlined in sections 56A and 73(3), 73(4), and 73(4A) of the Electoral Act. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, it mandates the augmented Electoral Commission for the Northern Territory to ensure that the electoral divisions are correctly named and their boundaries accurately defined. The Commission must adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act when making these determinations, ensuring that the electoral divisions are properly constituted and that the electoral process is fair and transparent. Furthermore, the Commission must publish the maps and details of these divisions on the Australian Electoral Commission website, making them accessible to the public. The determination is effective from 7 February 2017, until a new determination is made and published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette as per sub-section 73(1) or sub-section 76(6) of the Electoral Act. The legislation does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches of the provisions set out in the Determination of names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in the Northern Territory. However, any breaches of the Electoral Act, under which this determination is made, could result in various civil or criminal consequences. For example, section 13Ma of the Electoral Act provides that a person who contravenes certain provisions of the Act may be liable for a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per offence. In more serious cases, where criminal conduct is involved, penalties can be much more severe, including fines of up to $21,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. These penalties reflect the importance of adhering to the electoral laws and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.