New South Wales has had an electoral redistribution, meaning the borders of a number of electorates has changed.
This change arises because the state’s representation in the House of Representatives has been reduced from 47 to 46 seats, leading to adjustments across multiple electorates. One significant change is the abolition of the seat of North Sydney, which was held by Independent Kylea Tink.
Why is Parkes Changing?
Each electorate in Australia (outside of Tasmania and the Northern Territory) must meet a voter enrolment quota. The new quota for electorates is 121,011 voters. Prior to the redistribution, projections showed that Parkes’s enrolment was set to fall below the minimum allowed variance. Additionally, neighbouring seat New England needed to take parts of Parkes to make up their numbers. To ensure the electorate remains compliant, its boundaries have been expanded to include new areas.
Areas Transferred to Parkes
To increase its voter base, Parkes has gained several localities from the Riverina electorate.
- Condobolin
- Forbes
- Griffith Surrounds
- Parkes
- Parkes Surrounds
- West Wyalong
Areas Transferred from Parkes
The following areas of the Gwydir Shire have been transferred from Parkes to New England. The entirety of Gwydir Shire is now within the New England electorate.
- Balfours Peak,
- Blue Nobby,
- Boonal,
- Crooble,
- Gineroi,
- North Star,
- Warialda,
- Warialda Rail, and
- Yallaroi.
- Parts of Bingara, Biniguy, Boggabilla, Coolatai, Croppa Creek, Delungra, Graman, Gravesend, Myall Creek, Pallamallawa, and Tulloona that are within in Gwydir Shire.
New Boundaries of New England
Following these changes, the Division of Parkes now consists of the following local government areas:
- Bland Shire Council,
- Bogan Shire Council,
- Bourke Shire Council,
- Brewarrina Shire Council,
- Broken Hill City Council,
- Central Darling Shire Council,
- Cobar Shire Council,
- Coonamble Shire Council,
- Forbes Shire Council,
- Gilgandra Shire Council,
- Gunnedah Shire Council,
- Lachlan Shire Council,
- Moree Plains Shire Council,
- Narrabri Shire Council,
- Narromine Shire Council,
- Parkes Shire Council,
- Walgett Shire Council,
- Warren Shire Council,
- Warrumbungle Shire Council,
- Unincorporated Far West Region NSW, and
- part of the Dubbo Regional Council.
Part of the Dubbo Regional Council area is in the seat of Calare.
The expanded New England electorate now covers approximately 406 755 square kilometres, around half the land size of the state. It is the largest electorate in NSW and the seventh largest in Australia.
The next federal election due in May of this year will be the first to reflect these revised boundaries.
Implications of the Redistribution
Voter numbers in the expanded Parkes are above those projected at the time of the redistribution, at 130,950.
These changes are unlikely impact the political landscape of Parkes. The enormous area has always had a mix of remote and farming land, with no common identity or community. The Riverina parts that have joined the electorate are unlikely to identify with their new electorate nor be particularly engaged in the electoral process because those areas have very little in common with most of the Parkes electorate.
How does this affect me?
If you are in one of the areas that has moved electorates, you do not have to do anything or update your enrolment. The AEC has automatically moved you into the new electorate, and will send you some information in the mail.
You may have to vote at different polling booths than you are used to. Most border polling booths will accept votes for both seats. Check the AEC website closer to election day, and New England Times will have information as well once the details are available, to find out where you can vote.
If you are not sure which electorate you are in, look up your details here https://check.aec.gov.au/
The next federal election will be the first to reflect these revised boundaries, shaping the region’s representation in Canberra.
Follow all the New England Times coverage of the federal election here or have your say on Engage
See more about the race in New England here
See more about the race in Parkes here