22 November 1999

The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania has concluded its deliberations on the new boundaries for the 5 Divisions for Tasmania.

The Chairman of the Australian Electoral Commission and presiding member of the augmented Electoral Commission, the Hon. Trevor Morling QC, said "The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania has reviewed the proposed Redistribution of the State and considered all objections to the Redistribution Committee's proposal, as well as material placed before it at a public inquiry held in Hobart on 19 November 1999."

"Following these deliberations the augmented Electoral Commission has determined to adopt the proposal of the Redistribution Committee for Tasmania which was published on 20 August 1999, save for a minor change to include the whole of Dorset Local Government Area in the Division of Bass."

"While considering the merit of changes proposed in the objections, the augmented Electoral Commission reached the conclusion that the criteria of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 were met more completely by retaining the proposals made by the Redistribution Committee."

"The augmented Electoral Commission resolved that the agreed change was not significant and, therefore, the redistribution process has been concluded without the need for further objections or hearings."

"The new boundaries for Tasmania will be shown on maps to be included with the Report of the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania which will be released in due course, and then tabled in Parliament."

"The new boundaries will come into effect for the next federal election. However, any by-election which may occur before the next federal election will be held on the current boundaries."

The members of the augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania are:

The Chairman of the Australian Hon Trevor Morling QC

Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commissioner Mr Bill Gray AM

The Australian Statistician Mr Bill McLennan AM

The Acting Australian Electoral Officer for Mr Alex Stanelos

Tasmania

The Surveyor-General of Tasmania Mr Christopher Rowe

The Auditor-General of Tasmania Dr Arthur McHugh

Further Information:

Mr Alex Stanelos Hobart, Tel: (03) 6235 0501

Mr Wayne Seymour Canberra, Tel: (02) 6271 4688