Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Michael McCormack, says his Riverina electorate has been significantly affected by the proposal. Photo: Facebook/Michael McCormack.
The significant changes to southern NSW’s electoral boundaries have elicited strong reactions from two Federal MPs: Michael McCormack and Kristy McBain.
Last Friday (14 June), the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) handed down its proposed federal electoral divisions for NSW.
The electoral redistribution proposals are part of the AEC’s efforts to ensure each state and territory gains representation in the Lower House in proportion to its population and that each division has a similar number of electors.
Aside from the controversial recommendation by the redistribution committee to eliminate the seat of North Sydney, two southern divisions were also heavily impacted by the proposal.
The seat of Riverina took the Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley local government areas (LGAs) from Eden-Monaro, while the seat of Hume lost the Hilltops and Upper Lachlan LGAs to Riverina, and Goulburn Mulwaree LGA to Eden-Monaro.
On Friday afternoon, Member for Riverina Michael McCormack released a statement acknowledging that his seat was “significantly affected” by the AEC’s proposal.
“Under the AEC proposal, Bland, Forbes and Parkes shires would be moved into the Parkes electorate, currently held by Mark Coulton, and the Riverina would gain Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley local government areas (LGAs) from the Eden-Monaro electorate currently held by Kristy McBain, and the Upper Lachlan LGA from the Hume electorate, held by Angus Taylor,” Mr McCormack said.
“As well, Riverina will also gain the Hilltops LGA town Boorowa, which is presently in the Hume electorate. Most of Hilltops, centred on Young, is already in the Riverina boundary.”
If the proposal is ratified, he assured the residents of the Bland, Forbes and Parkes LGAs, he would continue to support their communities until the next federal election, due before May 2025.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent such wonderful communities, which are the heart and soul of regional NSW,” he said.
The Riverina MP said he looked forward to visiting Parkes, Forbes and West Wyalong this week, and that he had been in touch with the shires’ respective Mayors: Brian Monaghan, Phyllis Miller OAM and Neil Westcott.
Despite losing the Yass and Snowy Valleys LGAs, the Eden-Monaro division will gain more voters under the proposal. Maps: AEC.
“That said, I would welcome the opportunity, should the proposed boundaries be confirmed, to represent those communities in the Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs and will proudly fight for their interests in Canberra,” Mr McCormack said.
“I have previously represented the Snowy Valleys LGA prior to the AEC’s electoral boundary redistribution in 2016 and look forward to representing those wonderful communities again, alongside the beautiful Yass Valley and Upper Lachlan regions.
“I have also reached out to the Mayor of Snowy Valleys, Councillor Ian Chaffey, to discuss the possible inclusion of his council area in the Riverina electorate again and look forward to more talks as the redistribution process continues.”
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said the proposal’s redistribution of her electorate “is obviously an enormous change” and it would take some time for her and her team to digest.
“I’m disappointed the Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley have been moved outside the Eden-Monaro electorate,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to represent these communities since I was elected in 2020.”
The Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories said despite her disappointment, she was looking forward to getting to know the Goulburn community and gaining an understanding of how she could best represent this new region in Canberra.
“I have a strong track record in working with anyone to achieve positive results, and this redistribution is no different,” Ms McBain said.
“I will work hard for the new communities of Eden-Monaro and deliver for them in the same way I have for the Yass and Snowy Valleys communities.”
Independent MP for North Sydney Kylea Tink said she was “obviously disappointed” by the proposal, which recommended her seat’s abolishment. However, she would “remain committed” to the seat and independent political movement “wherever and whenever” she could.
“This is a draft proposal and there is now a further process to go through,” Ms Tink said. “I will have more to say on this in due course.”
