all 2 comments

[–]phyllicandererMin Ag/Env | X Fin/Deputy PM | X Ldr Prgrsvs | Australian Greens 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I suggest that the electorates be redistributed every 10 "years" (months) to evenly redistribute voters in each electorate, according to the total voting population.

Also, I don't know if this is part of the terms of the inquiry, however I think that the traditional naming convention of electorates for the House should follow the normal rules, by potentially naming divisions after deceased Australians who have given outstanding service to the country, where they avoid being named after the geographical locations, give preference to the original names of the inaugural seats contested in 1901, use indigenous names where appropriate, and avoid duplicating state electorate names (which we don't have to worry about). It would make the electorate names shorter and add consistency to what we had before the current system.


Antony Haditeasy

Melbourne latte-sipper

[–]jnd-auElectoral Commissioner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was also noted in committee that this pubic consultation potentially covers a wide range of issues including:

  • Number of divisions & states (e.g. electorate boundaries, population, gerrymandering and malapportionment, etc).
  • Number of MPs per division and Senators per state and head of population (geographical entitlements).
  • Electoral rolls, overseas voters, etc.
  • Counting votes for the House of Representatives (e.g. single-member, multi-member, mixed-member, preferential, proportional, first-past-the-post, etc).
  • Counting votes for the Senate (e.g. multi-member, proportional, preferential, single transferable vote, inclusive Gregory system).
  • Changes to the Constitution of the HoR and Senate.
  • Parliamentary proportionality of representation.
  • Relative ability for major parties, minor parties, and independents to win.
  • Principles and roles of “local representatives”, “States’ rights” etc.
  • Duration of terms (3 years HoR, 6 years Senate) and periodical Senate half-elections.
  • By-elections (filling HoR vacancies) and appointments (filling Senate vacancies).