'Save country seats': the NSW redistribution 2005–06

The recently-completed redistribution for the NSW House of Representatives seats was unusually controversial. There was concern in rural areas over the loss of a country seat— which was also a ‘Federation’ seat—and dismay over the apparent pushing–aside of the ‘community of interest’ principle by the Redistribution Committee. The controversy revealed a lack of community understanding of the redistribution process and an apparent reluctance by the Australian Electoral Commission to engage fully with the public. This paper discusses the controversy, analyses the changes to the redistribution that were made as a result the controversy, and poses the question of whether the redistribution arrangements need alteration