Redistribution Provisions and Frequency
| Parliaments and Local Councils | Redistribution Provisions and Frequency | |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Head of State Governor-general Leader of Government Prime Minister |
Senate | The Constitution and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. (i) If the enrolment in at least one third of the Division in State/Territory is more than 10% above or below the average enrolment for the State/Territory for a period of more than 2 months; (ii) If the number of members to be chosen in State/Territory alters; or (iii) If a period of 7 years has passed since the last redistribution. |
| House of Representatives | ||
| New South Wales Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
Legislative Council | Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912. Constitutional Act 1902. Conducted by "Electoral Districts Commission", Supreme Court Judge (current or retired), Surveyor General and Electoral Commissioner. |
| Legislative Assembly | After 2 elections by law; 25% of seats outside quota. | |
| Local Councils | Local Government Act 1993 by law. | |
| Victoria Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
Legislative Council | Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982. When approximate equality requirements no longer apply to a substantial extent. |
| Legislative Assembly | ||
| Local Councils | Local Government Act 1989. Review at least once every 6 years. |
|
| Queensland Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
(Legislative Council abolished 1922) Legislative Assembly |
Conducted under Electoral Act 1992. When approximate equality requirements no longer apply or after 3 general elections. |
| Local Councils | Local Government Act 1993; and City of Brisbane Act 1924. Every 4 years, if quota requirements are not met (divided LGs only). | |
| Western Australia Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
Legislative Council | Electoral Distribution Act 1947. After two general elections. |
| Legislative Assembly | ||
| Local Councils | Local Government Act 1995. The Local Government Advisory Board makes recommendations on suggested redistributions to the Minister for Local Government. |
|
| South Australia Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
Legislative Council | Constitution Act 1934. |
| House of Assembly | Redistribution after every general election. | |
| Local Councils | All councils must conduct a review of elector representation at least once every 6 years. Council or public initiated submissions relating to (i) alteration of council boundaries (ii) alteration to composition/structure of council including creation, alteration or abolition of wards are referred to Boundary Adjustment Facilitation Panel. | |
| Tasmania Head of State Governor Leader of Government Premier |
Legislative Council | Legislative Council Electoral Boundaries Act 1995. Every 9 years unless 4 Divisions vary by more than 25% from the average divisional enrolment. |
| House of Assembly | Same as Commonwealth. | |
| Local Councils | No set provisions. | |
| Northern Territory Head of State Administrator Leader of Government Chief Minister |
Legislative Assembly | Northern Territory Self Government Act 1978. Northern Territory Electoral Act 1995. A distribution of boundaries is carried out when the enrolment in any division exceeds or is less than one fifth on the quota. The quota is calculated by dividing the total enrolment by number of Divisions. A distribution of boundaries usually occurs before each general election. |
| Municipal Councils | Local Government Act. Every 4 years. |
|
| Local Councils | Local Government Act. Every 4 years. |
|
| Australian Capital Territory Head of State Governor-general (the Governor-general has certain reserve powers and can disallow legislation, recommend amendments to legislation and under extreme circumstance dissolve the Assembly.) Leader of Government Chief Minister (The Chief Minister is elected by the Assembly and exercises a number of powers normally exercised by a Governor including appointment of Ministers and signing law into effect.) |
Legislative Assembly | Electoral Act 1992. Australian Capital Territory (Self Government) Act 1988. Redistribution after every general election. |
Last updated: