By NICOLE VALICEK
THE first redraw of the state’s electoral boundaries in more than a decade was released by the Electoral Boundaries Commission last week.
In the West, the inclusion of a new Werribee seat has meant changes to the boundaries of the seats of Tarneit and Altona.
The new electoral boundaries will come into operation at the November 2014 state election.
The EBC report was tabled in Parliament last week after a redivision of boundaries in all 88 Legislative Assembly electoral districts and all eight Legislative Council electoral regions.The commission released proposed boundaries on 27 June.
After considering 608 written suggestions and objections and holding three public hearings, the EBC has amended the proposed boundaries in 21 areas, transferring 42,744 electors to different electoral districts, and has also changed the names of four districts.
In total, 15 electoral districts have been abolished and 15 new ones created.
Changes to Upper House boundaries have not been on the same scale, with no new electoral regions being created and a total of 392,844 electors transferred to different regions.
The EBC has conducted the redivision of electoral boundaries to ensure each vote in Victorian elections has an equal value and that each voter is represented equally in Parliament.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 requires a review of electoral boundaries, called a redivision in Victorian law, when there have been two general elections since the last redivision.
A redivision begins in the period 18 to 24 months before the next scheduled state election.
Go to www.vec.vic.gov.au to see the full changes.
