About the Electoral Boundaries Commission
What is the function of the EBC?Who are the members of the EBC?
How can I contact the EBC?
How does the EBC function?
When are redivisions required?
What are the rules about redivisions?
What is the function of the EBC?
The Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) is constituted under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 (external link) to divide Victoria into electoral regions for the State's Legislative Council and electoral districts for the Legislative Assembly. The EBC must establish and maintain electorates of approximately equal enrolment (that is, not varying by more than ten per cent from the average for each House of Parliament) for the conduct of parliamentary elections.The EBC is an independent statutory body. It is composed of independent and impartial officeholders, and is not responsible to any Minister or to the Government of the day.
Who are the members of the EBC?
The members of the EBC are:- The Chief Judge of the County Court, who is the Chairman (His Honour Chief Judge Michael Rozenes QC);
- The Electoral Commissioner (Mr Steve Tully); and
- The Surveyor General (Mr John Tulloch).
How can I contact the EBC?
The EBC is located at:
Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street
Melbourne Vic. 3000
Tel: (03) 9299 0520
Email: info@ebc.vic.gov.au
How does the EBC function?
The EBC meets from time to time between redivisions of electoral boundaries to consider enrolment statistics. When a redivision is required, the EBC meets frequently to conduct the redivision in terms of legal criteria, and invites submissions from the public.The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) (external link) provides administrative and technical support to the EBC.
When are redivisions required?
The EBC is required by law to conduct a redivision if any of the following conditions apply in the period of 18-24 months before the next scheduled State election:- enrolments for more than 30 per cent of the districts or regions have been more than 10 per cent outside the average for two months;
- enrolments for more than 25 per cent of the districts or regions have been outside the 10 per cent tolerance and more than 5 per cent of the districts or regions have been more than 20 per cent outside the average for two months;
- there have been two State elections since the previous redivision; or
- the number of districts or regions has changed.
What are the rules about redivisions?
The rules for redivisions are set out in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act 1982 (external link). In drawing the boundaries, the EBC must ensure that the electorates have approximately equal enrolments - that is, not varying by more than 10 per cent from the average enrolment for a district or region.The EBC must also give due consideration to:
- area and physical features of terrain;
- means of travel, traffic arteries and communication, and any special difficulties;
- community or diversity of interests; and
- likelihood of changes in numbers of electors.
The EBC then releases proposed boundaries. Members of the public have a month to put in suggestions or objections about the proposed boundaries.
After considering suggestions and objections, the EBC releases final boundaries. These boundaries are not subject to veto or alteration by Parliament or the Government. The boundaries come into operation at the following State election.
