NSW is due to lose a seat at the next election because its population is growing at a slower rate than other areas of the country, and in its redistribution proposal released today, the AEC said North Sydney should be the electorate to go.
The changes, if approved, would see residents cast their votes in the neighbouring seats of Bradfield, Warringah and Bennelong.
Tink said while she was disappointed by the AEC’s proposal, she would give her constituents ”the same level of representation that they’ve had over the past two years” until the next election.
“I will continue to stand up for and fight for the people of North Sydney on the issues that matter most to our community,” she said.
“This includes continuing to hold both major parties to account for their lack of ambition and action on climate change.
“North Sydney is also desperate for measures to tackle housing affordability and the cost of living, address intergenerational inequality, protect the environment for future generations, and promote a smart, future-focused economy…
“I remain committed to the independent political movement and will continue to support it wherever and whenever I can.
“This is a draft proposal and there is now a further process to go through. I will have more to say on this in due course.”
North Sydney has existed since Australia’s first election after Federation in 1901.
It had been a safe Liberal seat – with the exception of a six-year stint in the early to mid-1990s, the party had held it from 1949 to 2022, when Tink unseated Trent Zimmerman as pro-climate independents targeted Coalition MPs in inner-city seats.
While Tink won’t be able to retain North Sydney at the next federal election, she could move to a different seat.
Neighbouring Bradfield is held by current Liberal frontbencher Paul Fletcher, but he was challenged by independent candidate Nicolette Boelle in 2022.
Warringah is already independent territory thanks to MP Zali Steggal, but Bennelong was not contested by an independent at the last election. It is currently in Labor hands through Jerome Laxale.
The AEC has also proposed “major changes” to the boundaries of Eden-Monaro and Riverina in the state’s south, and Hume in Sydney’s west.
All up, just under 13 per cent of voters in NSW will be impacted by the redistribution.
The AEC’s draft decision comes weeks after it also proposed to remove the Melbourne seat of Higgins as Victoria loses an electorate to Western Australia.
Redistribution occurs before every federal election to ensure the 150 divisions in the lower house accurately represent Australia’s population.