Determination of Names and Boundaries of Federal Electoral Divisions in Western Australia

Overview

The Determination of names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in Western Australia 2016 (the Determination) was made under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) and was enacted on 19 January 2016. The Determination was introduced to address the need to define the electoral boundaries for the 16 members of the House of Representatives entitled to Western Australia as determined by the Electoral Commissioner on 13 November 2014. The augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia, pursuant to sub-section 73(1) of the Electoral Act, determined the names and boundaries of these electoral divisions, which are to apply from 19 January 2016 until the next determination is made. The electoral boundaries were determined in accordance with the requirements of sub-sections 73(3), 73(4) and 73(4A) of the Electoral Act. The maps and details of the electoral boundaries can be found on the Australian Electoral Commission website and the maps have been lodged in file number 15/920 at the National Office of the Australian Electoral Commission in Canberra. The policy objective of the Determination is to ensure fair and equitable representation in the House of Representatives for the people of Western Australia.

Scope and Application

The Determination of names and boundaries of federal electoral divisions in Western Australia applies to the 16 electoral divisions within the state as defined by the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia. This determination encompasses the geographic area of Western Australia and aligns with the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The specified electoral divisions and their boundaries, as determined and published by the Commission, apply to all relevant persons, entities, and industries within these areas, affecting their representation in the House of Representatives. The determination is subject to the overarching provisions of the Electoral Act, and the electoral divisions will remain in effect from 19 January 2016 until the next determination is made. Notably, the boundaries and names of these electoral divisions are subject to change in accordance with the Electoral Act, with any subsequent changes being published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

Key Provisions

This legislation, the Determination of Names and Boundaries of Federal Electoral Divisions in Western Australia, sets out the names and boundaries of 16 electoral divisions in Western Australia as determined by the augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia (subsection 73(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918). These divisions are Brand, Hasluck, Burt, Moore, Canning, O'Connor, Cowan, Pearce, Curtin, Perth, Durack, Stirling, Forrest, Swan, Fremantle, and Tangney. The boundaries for these divisions are detailed in maps published on the Australian Electoral Commission website and are also lodged in file number 15/920 at the National Office of the Australian Electoral Commission in Canberra. The determination was made in accordance with the requirements of subsections 73(3), 73(4), and 73(4A) of the Electoral Act. The electoral divisions will apply from 19 January 2016 until a new determination is published under subsection 73(1) or subsection 76(6) of the Electoral Act. The augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia, as mandated by the Electoral Act, has the responsibility of determining the names and boundaries of the electoral divisions. This includes ensuring that the divisions are named appropriately and that their boundaries are clearly defined. The commission has exercised its powers under the Electoral Act to make these determinations, which are subject to the overarching provisions of the Electoral Act. This ensures that the electoral divisions are established in a manner that complies with the legal requirements and principles set out in the act. There are no specific obligations or requirements imposed on the parties or entities governed by this legislation beyond what is outlined in the Electoral Act. The augmented Electoral Commission for Western Australia is responsible for making the determinations in accordance with the act, and the electoral divisions will be in effect until further notice under the same act. The boundaries and names of the divisions are established to ensure proper representation and electoral processes within Western Australia. The Electoral Act includes provisions for offences, penalties, and consequences for breaches. However, this specific determination notice does not outline specific offences or penalties. The penalties for breaches of the Electoral Act would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, and could range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the specific subsection of the act that has been breached. The exact penalties are detailed in the Electoral Act itself, and would apply to any breaches occurring in the context of the electoral divisions established by this determination.