MILDURA’S electoral boundary will come under review as part of Victoria’s next Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) scheduled redivision of state electoral boundaries.
The redivision of state electoral boundaries aims to provide fair and equitable representation for all voters by ensuring enrolments in each electoral district and region do not vary by more than 10 per cent from the state average.
The start of the review will be on Wednesday, when the EBC will hold an online information session for anyone wanting to learn more about the redivision process and how to make a submission.
A redivision is required because there have been two general elections since the last redivision.
Independent Member for Mildura Ali Cupper won the 2018 election from The Nationals’ sitting member Peter Crisp by just 253 votes after the distribution of preferences, when more than 5000 eligible voters either failed to vote or submitted informal votes.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately, one of the members of the EBC, issued a call to Victorians to have their say through the submission process.
“We encourage Victorians to contribute to the redivision process and have their say,” Mr Gately said.
He said people interested in making a submission could map their proposed boundaries using the new public submission tool available on the EBC website.
In considering the redivision of boundaries, the EBC considers the area and its physical features, any means of communication and travel, community interests — including economic, social and regional interests — and demographic trends.
The EBC is expected to release proposed boundaries in mid-2021, when the second stage of submissions will be called.
The new state electoral boundaries will take effect when the Victorian Parliament dissolves on November 1, 2022.
Further information about the redivision will be available on the EBC website ebc.vic.gov.au.
