New electorates could cause headache for Turnbull

The creation of two new electorates in Victoria and the ACT, and the loss of one in SA, is tipped to benefit the Labor Party at the next federal election.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) redistribution could cause political headaches for the Turnbull Government if an early election is called, with battlelines to be redrawn.

The redistribution will increase the number of seats in the House of Representatives from 150 to 151, although details of the new seats are yet to be announced.

The AEC’s decision is based on population growth and decline.

Victoria’s population has been booming and the ACT’s has been steadily increasing. South Australia’s has been declining compared to other states.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said there would be another meeting on Friday to start the process of redistribution, which could take months.

“Redistribution committees will be appointed and the public will soon be invited to make suggestions and comments on matters affecting the drawing of federal electoral boundaries and the naming of electoral divisions,” he said.

Source: ACT, Vic gain MP seat but SA loses one in AEC electorate redistribution – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)