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Boundary Delimitation

Australia

Country: Australia

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BD03

On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?

a. "Equality" of population

b. Respecting natural barriers

f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns

g. Other

Comments: a.) Equality of enrolment, not population. The Augmented Electoral Commission shall, as far as practicable, endeavour to ensure that the number of electors enrolled in an Electoral Division in the State or Territory will not, at the projection time determined under section 63A in the Electoral Act, be less than 96.5% or more than 103.5% of the average divisional enrolment of that State or Territory at that time. The Augmented Electoral Commission shall give due consideration, in relation to each Electoral Division to: economic, social, and regional interests; means of communication and travel within the Electoral Division; and the physical features and area of the Electoral Division. Divisions must be contiguous and be wholly contained within a State.
Source: Electoral Act, section 73(a)and(b)
BD06

What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?

c. Changes in numbers of registered voters

d. Changes in distribution of total population

k. Boundaries redrawn every____period of years

l. Other

Comments: (c)When a prescribed level of malapportionment is achieved and sustained in the state or territory; (d)When there is a change in the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the state or territory at a general election, as determined approximately one year after each general election; (k)When seven years have elapsed since the state or territory was last redistributed. Of the three possible "triggers" for redistributions, change in representation entitlements has been by far the most important and has accounted for the majority of redistributions initiated since 1984. There have been no redistributions triggered by malapportionment. The rules governing the timing of redistributions are based on objective criteria, and do not permit the government of the day any discretion with regard to the scheduling of redistributions. The rules also clearly ensure that there is a limit on the length of time that can elapse between redistributions, which has tended to limit the extent to which malapportionment can arise.
Source: Electoral Act (1918), Section 46, 48, 59 and 76

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last modified March 04, 2006 23:08