Redistribution of federal electoral divisions in Queensland - Suggestions and comments on suggestions

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Legislation au C2017G00443 In force Gazette

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Redistribution of Federal Electoral divisions IN QUEENSLAND

SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON SUGGESTIONS

 

In accordance with section 64 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act), the Electoral Commissioner invites interested persons or organisations to make written suggestions, from Wednesday 19 April 2017, about the redistribution of federal electoral divisions for the House of Representatives in Queensland; and to make written comments on the suggestions which are lodged.

WHY IS A REDISTRIBUTION REQUIRED?

A redistribution of federal electoral divisions in Queensland is required because more than seven years have elapsed since the last redistribution. On Friday 6 January 2017, in accordance with section 59 of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Commission directed that a redistribution commence.

As part of a determination on Thursday 13 November 2014 of the number of members of the House of Representatives to which each state and territory will be entitled at the next federal general election, it was determined that Queensland remains entitled to 30 members of the House of Representatives.  

WHO WILL CONDUCT THE REDISTRIBUTION?

The redistribution will be conducted by a Redistribution Committee appointed by the Electoral Commission in accordance with section 60 of the Electoral Act.

The Electoral Act requires that the Redistribution Committee for Queensland comprise the Electoral Commissioner, the Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland, and two senior officials based in Queensland.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A REDISTRIBUTION

In making its proposed redistribution, the Redistribution Committee is bound by section 66 of the Electoral Act.

The number of electors in each proposed electoral division must not deviate by more than 10 per cent above or below the current enrolment quota.  The current enrolment quota for Queensland was determined by the Electoral Commissioner to be 103,203.

As far as practicable, the Redistribution Committee will ensure that the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division at Monday 27 September 2021 (the projection time) will not deviate by more than 3.5 per cent above or below the projected enrolment quota of 110,124.

The actual and projected enrolment figures, current and projected enrolment quotas, and the redistribution timetable, are available on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website: www.aec.gov.au/qld-redistribution

Section 66 of the Electoral Act also provides that the Redistribution Committee:

‘give due consideration, in relation to each proposed Electoral Division, to:

(i) community of interests within the proposed Electoral Division, including economic, social and regional interests;

(ii)                 means of communication and travel within the proposed Electoral Division;

(iv) the physical features and area of the proposed Electoral Division; and

(v) the boundaries of existing Divisions in the State or Territory’

Consideration of existing boundaries is subordinate to the other factors set out above.

THE BOUNDARIES OF THE ELECTORAL DIVISIONS WILL CHANGE

On the boundaries in place when the redistribution commenced on Friday 6 January 2017, the number of electors enrolled in all Queensland federal electoral divisions met the requirement to be within plus and minus 10 per cent of the current enrolment quota of 103,203. However, 11 federal electoral divisions do not meet the requirement to be within plus and minus 3.5 per cent of the projected enrolment quota of 110,124 at the projection time. 

As a consequence, the Redistribution Committee will be required to adjust the boundaries of electoral divisions so that the requirements of the Electoral Act can be met. In adjusting the boundaries of the 11 federal electoral divisions who do not currently meet the required parameters, it may become necessary to adjust the boundaries of other federal electoral divisions. This will ensure they also meet the required parameters.

THE REDISTRIBUTION PROCESS

The redistribution is carried out in accordance with the Electoral Act.  The key stages of the redistribution process are as follows.

Step 1 - Suggestions

Any interested person or organisation who wishes to make suggestions relating to the boundaries or names of electoral divisions, has until 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Friday 19 May 2017 to lodge them in writing with the Redistribution Committee via the means listed in the ‘How to lodge a suggestion or comment on a suggestion’ section below. Suggestions received after the prescribed lodgement time cannot be considered.

People or organisations making suggestions are requested, where practical, to provide any paper maps in A4/A3 size to facilitate copying.

It is strongly recommended those wishing to make suggestions or comments on suggestions read the ‘Guidelines for making a submission’.

Step 2 - Comments on the suggestions

The suggestions will be available for public inspection from Monday 22 May 2017 at the office of the Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland (7th Floor, 488 Queen Street, Brisbane) and on the AEC’s website (www.aec.gov.au/qld-redistribution). Any comments on the suggestions must be lodged in writing with the Redistribution Committee by 6pm (AEST) Friday 2 June 2017. Comments received after the prescribed lodgement time cannot be considered.

Step 3 - Redistribution proposal

After considering the written suggestions and comments, the Redistribution Committee will propose a redistribution of federal electoral divisions for Queensland. Maps showing the proposed boundaries and names of electoral divisions will then be published in selected newspapers and on the AEC website and will be made available at all AEC offices in Queensland.

Step 4 - Objections to the proposed redistribution

Objections to the proposed redistribution must be lodged within 28 days of the publication of the proposed redistribution. There is a further 14 day period for lodgement of written comments on any objections.

Step 5 - Objections considered by the augmented Electoral Commission

The augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland considers all objections and comments on objections. The augmented Electoral Commission comprises the members of the Redistribution Committee together with the Chairperson of the AEC and the third member of the Electoral Commission.

Step 6 - The second redistribution proposal

After it has considered all objections and comments, the augmented Electoral Commission will make its own proposed redistribution.

Step 7 - Further objections

If, in the opinion of the augmented Electoral Commission, their proposal is significantly different from the Redistribution Committee’s proposal, the augmented Electoral Commission will invite further objections.

 

 

Step 8 - Final determination

After considering all submissions the augmented Electoral Commission will make a final determination of boundaries and names of the electoral divisions for Queensland by notice published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

For more information about the redistribution process visit the AEC’s website: www.aec.gov.au/qld-redistribution

HOW TO LODGE A SUGGESTION OR A COMMENT ON A SUGGESTION

Suggestions and comments on suggestions should be lodged via the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au/qld-redistribution.  Suggestions and comments on suggestions can also be submitted:

  • by email to: FedRedistribution-QLD@aec.gov.au  
  • in person to: Redistribution Committee for Queensland, 7th Floor, 488 Queen Street, Brisbane
  • by mail to: Redistribution Committee for Queensland, GPO Box 2590, Brisbane QLD 4001
  • by fax to: 07 3834 3496.
Public availability of suggestions and comments on suggestions

The Electoral Act requires that submissions to the Redistribution Committee be made publicly available. Copies of all submissions will be made available in full for public inspection at the office of the Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland (7th Floor, 488 Queen Street, Brisbane), in accordance with the Electoral Act.

All submissions will also be published in full on the AEC’s website and included in reports produced by the Redistribution Committee and the augmented Electoral Commission.   

Signatures and address details of people and organisations that lodge written submissions will be removed prior to publication.

It is strongly recommended those wishing to make suggestions or comments on suggestions read the ‘Guidelines for making a submission.’

MORE INFORMATION

Persons or organisations intending to make submissions to the Redistribution Committee are urged to take account of the requirements of the Electoral Act. In particular, those making submissions are advised to ensure their submissions are in the physical possession of the Redistribution Committee for Queensland’s secretariat by the relevant closing time.

A wide range of information is available on the AEC’s website, including:

  • further information about the federal redistribution process in Queensland, including an indicative timetable and background information – www.aec.gov.au/qld-redistribution
  • information about current electoral divisions in Queensland – www.aec.gov.au/profiles/index.htm
  • Guidelines for making a submission – www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/guidelines-for-submissions.htm
  • Guidelines for naming federal electoral divisions – www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/guidelines.htm
  • the legal requirements for a federal redistribution as outlined in Part IV of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 – www.aec.gov.au/Elections/australian_electoral_system/Electoral_Legislation.htm
  • general information about the redistribution process – www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/


Further information can be obtained from the Redistribution Secretariat:

Phone number: 07 3834 3458

Email address: FedRedistribution-QLD@aec.gov.au

 

Redistribution of state/Territory electoral boundaries

For information about the review of Queensland’s state electoral districts visit http://boundaries.ecq.qld.gov.au/. This is a separate process not administered by the AEC and is not related to federal parliament.

 

 

 

Tom Rogers

Electoral Commissioner

Overview

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 governs the redistribution of federal electoral divisions in Queensland, which is a process mandated to occur every seven years to ensure the fairness and representation of electorates. This Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and is administered by the Electoral Commission. The primary problem this legislation addresses is the need to periodically adjust electoral boundaries to reflect changes in population and enrolment figures, ensuring that each electoral division has a roughly equal number of electors. This redistribution process was initiated on January 6, 2017, as more than seven years had passed since the last redistribution. The policy objective is to maintain equitable representation across federal electoral divisions by adhering to strict enrolment quotas and considering factors such as community interests, communication, travel, physical features, and existing boundaries. The redistribution process involves several steps, including public suggestion and comment periods, proposal development, and objection considerations, ultimately leading to a final determination by the augmented Electoral Commission and publication in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette.

Scope and Application

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 mandates a redistribution of federal electoral divisions for the House of Representatives in Queensland every seven years, as per section 64. This legislative requirement was triggered by the Electoral Commission's directive on January 6, 2017, following the determination of the number of representatives for each state and territory on November 13, 2014. Queensland's entitlement to 30 members of the House of Representatives remains unchanged. The redistribution process is overseen by a Redistribution Committee appointed by the Electoral Commission, as stipulated in section 60 of the Electoral Act. This committee includes the Electoral Commissioner, the Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland, and two senior officials based in Queensland. The Act mandates that the number of electors in each proposed electoral division should not deviate by more than 10 per cent above or below the current enrolment quota of 103,203 and, as far as practicable, not deviate by more than 3.5 per cent above or below the projected enrolment quota of 110,124 at the projection time of September 27, 2021. The redistribution must consider community interests, means of communication and travel, physical features, and existing boundaries, with the latter being subordinate to the other factors. The redistribution process involves public suggestions and comments on the proposed boundaries and names of electoral divisions, followed by the publication of proposed boundaries and names, and a period for objections and further comments. Ultimately, the augmented Electoral Commission makes a final determination of boundaries and names by notice in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette. This legislative process ensures equitable representation in federal electoral divisions within Queensland, adhering to the strict enrolment quotas and community considerations set forth in the Electoral Act.

Key Provisions

The legislation outlines the process for the redistribution of federal electoral divisions in Queensland, as mandated by section 64 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act). This redistribution is triggered because more than seven years have elapsed since the last one, and it was directed to commence on 6 January 2017 under section 59 of the Electoral Act. Queensland remains entitled to 30 members of the House of Representatives. The redistribution will be conducted by a Redistribution Committee, consisting of the Electoral Commissioner, the Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland, and two senior officials based in Queensland, as per section 60 of the Electoral Act. The Redistribution Committee must adhere to certain legal requirements, including ensuring that the number of electors in each proposed division does not deviate by more than 10% above or below the current enrolment quota of 103,203. As far as practicable, the Committee must also ensure that the number of electors does not deviate by more than 3.5% above or below the projected enrolment quota of 110,124 at the projection time of 27 September 2021. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved in the redistribution process. Firstly, any interested person or organisation can make written suggestions about the redistribution by 6pm AEST on Friday 19 May 2017. The Redistribution Committee will then consider these suggestions and publish them for public inspection from 22 May 2017. Comments on these suggestions can be made in writing by 6pm (AEST) Friday 2 June 2017. After considering the suggestions and comments, the Redistribution Committee will propose a redistribution, which will be made public and available for objections within 28 days of publication. Any objections must be lodged by 6pm (AEST) on the relevant date and can be followed by further comments on any objections within 14 days. The augmented Electoral Commission for Queensland, which includes the Redistribution Committee members, the Chairperson of the AEC, and the third member of the Electoral Commission, will consider all objections and comments and make a final determination of the boundaries and names of the electoral divisions for Queensland. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Electoral Act can result in various consequences. Although the legislation does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, the redistribution process is governed by stringent legal requirements and public scrutiny, which can lead to significant political and legal repercussions for non-compliance. Additionally, the redistribution process is subject to judicial review, which could result in court orders or other legal actions if the process is found to be flawed or non-compliant with the Electoral Act. The significance of these potential consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the legal requirements and timelines outlined in the legislation.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.