A key seat behind Labor’s 2022 election victory is set to be abolished after the Australian Electoral Commission released its plans for major redistribution changes.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has proposed abolishing the marginal seat of Higgins in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Currently,Labor MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah holds the seat, but it has been held by both sides of politics in recent times.
The loss of this seat will have major ramifications for various other electorates.
Dr Ananda-Rajah won the seat of Higgins at the 2022 election which Labor won, stumping then Liberal member Katie Allen.
In a statement released on Friday, Dr Ananda-Rajah said she was “disappointed” by the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) proposal to abolish her seat which has been a federal division for 75 years since 1949.
Dr Ananda-Rajah won the seat of Higgins at the 2022 election which Labor won, stumping former Liberal member Katie Allen. Picture: Simone Schroeder for The Australian
“As the first Labor member for Higgins, I am obviously disappointed by today’s announcement of the draft boundaries from the AEC,” she said.
“I remain as committed as ever to represent this great electorate – a seat of two former Prime Ministers.”
The changes in Victoria were required to enable a reduction from 39 to 38 electoral divisions due to a relatively slower rate of population growth compared to other states and territories in Australia.
Under the plan, voters in the seat which covers the Melbourne suburbs of Armadale, Kooyong, Malvern, Prahran and Toorak, will be redistributed to the neighbouring electorates of Chisholm (Labor), Hotham (Labor), Kooyong (independent), Macnamara (Labor) and Melbourne (Greens). Picture: AEC
Of Victoria’s existing 39 electoral divisions, 29 do not meet the numerical requirements of the Electoral Act.
This has resulted in alterations to the boundaries of a significant number of Victoria’s electoral divisions.
AEC Commissioner Tom Rogers on Friday confirmed changes to population was the reason for Higgins being abolished, which will result in 8.31 percent of all voters in Vicotria shifting electorates.
“Under the proposal some significant changes would occur, with the boundaries of Victorian divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease,” he said.
“Thirty-eight of the existing 39 division names would be retained with the Division of Higgins to be abolished.”
Under the plan, voters in the seat which covers the Melbourne suburbs of Armadale, Kooyong, Malvern, Prahran and Toorak, will be redistributed to the neighbouring electorates of Chisholm (Labor), Hotham (Labor), Kooyong (independent), Macnamara (Labor) and Melbourne (Greens).
Teal independent Monique Ryan represents Kooyong while Greens leader Adam Bandt holds Melbourne.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is campaigning in the Victorian seat of Higgins to start election day.
Ms Allen is attempting re-gain the seat she lost to Labor in 2022 and said the “curious” decision by the AEC may leave the community around the Stonnington council “divided”.
“I’m right in the middle of campaigning, so I haven’t had time to look at the boundaries more formally and it will take some time to digest it, but the most important thing is the AEC takes advice from both parties and the community,” she told Sky News Australia Victorian political reporter Simon Love.
“If there are community members watching this show, please if you believe Stonnington should stay as Higgins, write to the AEC.
“You as a private citizen can write and argue for the case.”
AEC Commissioner Tom Rogers on Friday confirmed change to population was the reason for Higgins being abolished, which will result in 8.31 percent of all voters in Victoria shifting electorates. Picture: Supplied
“This is not about me, this is not about the Liberal Party this is about a community of interest, and it’s the job of the AEC to reflect the people’s needs and the will of the people, and encourage people to take pen to paper or get to the email or take a phone call if you believe Stonnington ton should be part of Higgins.”
Asked whether she would look to pre-select for another seat if the proposal was in place, she assured the “draft proposal” was not yet a “done deal”.
“At the moment we’re working with a draft proposal, this is not a done deal,” she said.
The AEC is also proposing a new division of Bullwinkel In Western Australia.
This would establish a new seat in Perth honouring prisoner of war Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel.
Born at Kapunda in South Australia in 1915, she was a prisoner of war for over three years and the sole survivor of the 1942 Bangka Island massacre.
Comments the AEC’s proposal are now open and will close on Friday June 28th at 6pm.
A final decision on the new electoral boundaries is set to be made later in the year.