On Friday June 14 2024 the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales published its report proposing names and boundaries for the state’s federal electoral divisions.
The Redistribution Committee proposes:
- abolishing the Division of North Sydney,
- the existing Division of Cook be jointly named to honour:
- – former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Cook GCMG PC (1860–1947), and
- – Captain James Cook FRS (1728–79),
- retaining the names of the remaining 45 electoral divisions in New South Wales,
- altering the boundaries of 39 electoral divisions in New South Wales, and
- retaining the boundaries of seven electoral divisions in New South Wales.
New South Wales has had its entitlement to electoral divisions reduced from 47 to 46 due to a slower rate of population growth compared to other states and territories. Of New South Wales’ existing 47 electoral divisions, only 12 meet the two numerical requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act).
In order for the requirements of the Electoral Act, together with the reduction in the number of electoral divisions, to be accommodated, the following changes are proposed:
- reducing the size of electoral divisions with high elector numbers and high projected growth in elector numbers, such as the existing Divisions of Hume and Macarthur,
- altering electoral division boundaries to accommodate low or negative projected growth in elector numbers in electoral divisions in inner Sydney, such as the existing Divisions of Sydney and Wentworth,
- altering electoral division boundaries to accommodate low or negative projected growth in elector numbers in rural electoral divisions, such as the existing Divisions of New England and Parkes, and
- where possible, amend the boundaries of electoral divisions such that communities of interest are united or improved.
This proposal is made available for public discussion, and for appropriate modifications or adjustment by the augmented Electoral Commission for New South Wales (the augmented Electoral Commission) through the objections and comments on objections process (and inquiry process, if required). The augmented Electoral Commission will finalise the names and boundaries of electoral divisions after carefully considering objections and comments on objections (and oral submissions presented at any inquiry which may be held).
The Chair of the Committee and Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers, said the New South Wales redistribution was required to enable a decrease from 47 to 46 electoral divisions.
“Under the proposal some significant changes would occur, with the boundaries of New South Wales divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease,” Mr Rogers said.
“Forty-five of the existing 47 division names would be retained."
“The Division of North Sydney would be abolished and the basis for naming the Division of Cook would be expanded to acknowledge former Prime Minister Joseph Cook.”
The AEC proposal would mean significant changes to the Division of Warringah boundaries with approximately 36,409 new constituents, formerly a part of the Division of North Sydney, and a loss of 15,257 constituents to the Division of Mackellar as part of its proposed redistribution of Federal Electoral Divisions in New South Wales. The proposed plan would see an increase in 21,152 constituents to the Warringah electorate.
The Divisions of Bradfield and Bennelong would also acquire former North Sydney Division suburbs under the proposed changes.
The MP for Bradfield is currently the Hon. Paul Fletcher, Australian Liberal Party. The federal MP for Bennelong is currently Jerome Laxale, Australian Labor Party, after being elected at the 2022 federal election. Mr. Laxale had formerly served as a Mayor for Ryde Council, which forms a significant part of his electorate.
The Labor Party claimed the Liberal stronghold seat of Bennelong for only the second time in more than 70 years at the 2022 election. The seat, once held by former long-term prime minister and Australian Liberal Party elder John Howard, went to Labor's Jerome Laxale after a significant swing.
names and boundaries of proposed Divisions.
Under the proposed changes Warringah would lose the suburbs of Killarney Heights, Forestville, Dee Why and North Curl Curl (the rest of Curl Curl would be retained). The new suburbs proposed to be included are Cammeray, Cremorne, Crows Nest, Kirribilli, North Sydney, Waverton and Wollstonecraft.
Warringah MP Zali Steggall said on Friday:
''It has been an honour to have been Warringah’s representative for the past five years and I remain as committed as ever to serving my community. I will be making a submission to retain all the existing suburbs within Warringah. As this is a draft proposal, I will follow the due process and take these proposed changes to all the communities impacted and encourage them to make submissions.
My team and I have been proudly doing politics differently, giving the people of Warringah an independent voice in parliament and should the boundaries remain as proposed I will be looking forward to welcoming and serving the many new constituents in Warringah should I be re-elected.
I am mindful these proposed changes will have a significant impact on the North Sydney community. I am disappointed with the proposal to cut the Division of North Sydney. My fellow Independent, Kylea Tink MP has done a fantastic job representing her community. She is an excellent MP and has my full support. ''
Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps stated: ·
''Kylea Tink has proved herself a powerful and genuine representative of her community who continues to advocate for the issues that her North Sydney community hold dear.
Community independents are first and foremost about giving their voters a voice on issues they care about: action on climate change, integrity in our democracy, and ensuring all Australians are treated with fairness.''
Independent North Sydney MP Kylea Tink stated:
''As the proud independent representative for the people of North Sydney, I am obviously disappointed by today’s draft boundary announcement from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). But this has never been about me.
May 2022 was a turning point in Australian federal politics, and North Sydney was one of the first communities to stand up that year for independent representation.
As one of the original 75 divisions contested at Australia’s first federal election, and a seat held by Prime Ministers and trailblazing Independents, North Sydney has also long punched above its weight in its contribution to building a better Australia.
My focus remains on the community of North Sydney, the incredible team working with me, and the thousands of volunteers and donors who helped bring North Sydney’s voice back in 2022.
I will continue to stand up for and fight for the people of North Sydney on the issues that matter most to our community.
This includes continuing to hold both major parties to account for their lack of ambition and action on climate change. North Sydney is also desperate for measures to tackle housing affordability and the cost of living, address intergenerational inequality, protect the environment for future generations, and promote a smart, future-focused economy.
The North Sydney community will continue to experience the same level of representation that they’ve had over the past two years. I remain committed to the independent political movement and will continue to support it wherever and whenever I can.
This is a draft proposal and there is now a further process to go through. I will have more to say on this in due course.''
The Hon. Paul Fletcher said in an issued statement:
''I acknowledge the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) issue of draft boundaries for Federal electorates in New South Wales, as part of the Federal redistribution process.
I welcome the fact that the electorate of Bradfield has been retained, albeit with some changes in the boundaries.
Assuming the final boundaries to be announced in October end up consistent with the draft released today, I look forward to serving constituents in the new areas of the electorate, such as Artarmon, Castlecrag, Middle Cove, Naremburn, Northbridge, and St Leonards, and continuing to serve those in the continuing areas of Bradfield.
I will be sad to say goodbye to constituents in Asquith, Hornsby, Normanhurst and Waitara, but I know they will be in very good hands with their new representative, the Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser. Naturally, I will continue to serve constituents in these areas in the normal way for so long as I am representing them.''
Jerome Laxale MP stated:
''In case you missed it; today the AEC has proposed moving Bennelong into Lane Cove, Hunters Hill and a slither of Willoughby Council areas.
I look forward to serving you all!''
The proposed new Mackellar and Warringah maps run below.
Individuals and organisations can lodge objections to the Redistribution Committee’s proposed divisions.
Written objections must be lodged no later than 6pm AEST on Friday 12 July 2024. The best way to lodge an objection is online - with the Upload objections and Guidelines about what to include HERE.
Objections can also be submitted via:
- Email – FedRedistribution-NSW@aec.gov.au
- Post – Australian Electoral Commission (Att: NSW Redistribution Secretariat), Locked Bag 4007, Canberra ACT 2601
