Who makes the proposed redistribution and what factors do they consider?

Who will make the proposed redistribution of the Northern Territory?

The proposed redistribution will be made by the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory.

Section 60 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Electoral Act) requires that for each redistribution of a state or territory, a Redistribution Committee for that state or territory will be appointed. The Electoral Act also specifies the membership of the Redistribution Committee.

What factors will the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory consider when making their proposed redistribution of the Northern Territory?

The Electoral Act requires the Redistribution Committee for the Northern Territory to comply with the following factors when making their proposed redistribution:

• the Northern Territory is to be divided into the same number of electoral divisions as the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the Northern Territory at a general election (sub-section 66(2) of the Electoral Act)
  • As the Northern Territory is entitled to two members of House of Representatives, as determined by the then acting Electoral Commissioner on 13 November 2014, the Redistribution Committee will proposed two electoral divisions for the Northern Territory.
• the Territory of the Christmas Islands and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling Island) are to be included in the same electoral division in the Northern Territory (section 56A of the Electoral Act)
• all suggestions and comments on suggestions received by the lodgement time (sub-section 64(4) of the Electoral Act)
  • All written suggestions received by 6pm ACST Friday 4 March 2016 and all written comments on suggestions received by 6pm ACST Friday 18 March 2016 will be considered by the Redistribution Committee in the development of their proposed redistribution.
• as far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Northern Territory at the projection time would not be more than plus or minus 3.5 per cent of the projected enrolment quota (paragraph 66(3)(a) of the Electoral Act)
  • As far as practicable, the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Northern Territory at the projection time of 7 August 2020 must be between 68 214 and 73 162.
• the number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Northern Territory would not be more than plus or minus 10 per cent of the current enrolment quota (sub-section 66(3) of the Electoral Act)
  • The number of electors enrolled in each electoral division in the Northern Territory must be between 58 308 and 71 264.
• in relation to each proposed electoral division, give due consideration to:
  1. community of interests within the proposed electoral division, including economic, social and regional interests
  2. means of communication and travel within the proposed electoral division
  3. the physical features and area of the proposed electoral division, and
  4. the boundaries of existing electoral divisions in the Northern Territory, with this factor being subordinate to the consideration i to iii (paragraph 66(3)(b) and sub-section 66(3A) of the Electoral Act)