New South Wales must lose a seat before the next Federal Election. The number of electorates in NSW will be reduced from 47 to 46 seats, and the seat of North Sydney is slated to be abolished.
There must be a quota in every electorate, and the North Sydney Electorate is under quota.
The Australian Electoral Commission’s Redistribution Committee proposed the following for NSW:
- 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).
The proposed Bennelong boundaries are below. However, North Sydney voters will now be in Bennelong, Bradfield or Warringah. Lane Cove and Hunters Hill are now in Bennelong.
Kylea Tink’s Statement
Kylea Tink released the following statement:
“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.”
Next Steps
Members of the public were invited to submit written objections relating to the proposed redistribution from Friday 14 June 2024.
Guidelines are available to help with submission. Find out more here.
Background
Last year, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) called for submissions on a redistribution.
ABC election analyst guru Antony Green said:
“Abolishing a division while bringing all divisions back within the permitted variation from quota will require major surgery to some electorates. And boundary changes will almost certainly have big political consequences.”
The AEC recently released submissions made about the proposed redistribution – you can read the submissions in full here.
Redistribution Submissions by Major Parties
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party has suggested abolishing the seat of Warringah and combining current Warringah voters with North Sydney voters. They would like the electorate to remain named North Sydney as it is a federation electorate. If this was to happen, Zali Steggal and Kylea Tink could possibly contest the same electorate.
Labor Party
Labor does not want to abolish North Sydney. Instead, they propose that the seat include Gladesville, Ryde, Putney, and some parts of Lindfield, Chatswood, Roseville, and Lindfield. They also suggest the area from Crows Nest to Kirribilli be part of the Warringah electorate.
National Party Submission
The Nationals have submitted that North Sydney be abolished, and the seat of Bennelong is moved further east than the Liberal Party’s proposal.
The Greens
The Greens want to retain North Sydney and expand its borders to include Chatswood, Castle Cove and Northbridge and parts of Lindfield to Roseville. They have submitted that the set of Bradfield should be abolished. Former Liberal minister Paul Fletcher currently holds this seat.
The Independents
Not surprisingly the independents have submitted the following:
Kylea Tink wants to keep North Sydney
Zali Steggall has suggested realigning the western boundary of Warringah into North Sydney.
Kyle Tink’s Statement
Kylea Tink released the following statement:
“Our electorate of North Sydney has existed since Federation and at its core is a strong community of interest established around the spine of the north shore rail line.
As you may be aware the federal divisions of NSW will be subject to a boundary redistribution ahead of the next election, which will abolish one seat and increase the number of voters in each electorate from 118,000 to 129,000.
Unsurprisingly, the submissions of the two major parties are driven by political self-interest that looks to carve up North Sydney into Bennelong, Bradfield and Warringah. Instead, I am arguing to preserve our community of North Sydney, taking in some modest growth to incorporate the full Willoughby and North Sydney LGA’s.
You can read my submission here, and if you want to have your say in this process you can make your own submission before November 10.
Thank you as always for the privilege of representing our community. All that I do is shaped by your feedback so please keep those emails coming!”
You can make a comment on the suggestions above. Comments must be submitted by 10 November 2023. You can upload your suggestions here.”
When Will The Redistribution Take Place?
The proposed redistribution report will be released around April 2024. There will be a chance to make submissions on the AEC’s recommendation in 2024. A final decision on redistribution must take place before the next federal election.
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