AEC abolishes Melbourne seat of Higgins and adds one in WA
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has given the rubber stamp on plans to abolish the Melbourne seat of Higgins, while also approving a new seat in Western Australia.
The context: In May, the AEC announced a draft proposal to abolish Higgins, held by Labor MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah since the 2022 election.
Demographic changes meant that one Victorian seat was set to be axed in redistribution, with another added to Western Australia.
On Thursday, the AEC also confirmed the boundaries for the WA seat — to be named Bullwinkel — would incorporate areas of Hasluck, Durack, Swan, O’Connor and Canning. The seat is notionally held by Labor, which has announced Perth Hills councillor Trish Cook as its candidate.
Both draft plans were unanimously approved.
Teal independent Kylea Tink’s seat of North Sydney in NSW is also set to be abolished.
What they said: “All written objections and comments, as well as the information presented at the inquiry, have been carefully considered in deciding the final names and boundaries,” Electoral Commission for Victoria presiding member Susan Kenny said.
The source: Australian Electoral Commission statements
