Proposed redistribution of Federal Electoral Divisions in New South Wales
I make this submission as the Voices of Bradfield endorsed community independent candidate for Bradfield, in the 2022 and the upcoming federal elections.
My campaign team and I have considered the report of the Redistribution Committee showing reasons for the proposed redistribution; maps showing the names and boundaries of each proposed electoral division; and suggestions and comments on suggestions previously lodged with the Redistribution Committee. I refer the Committee to my campaign's comment on submissions on November 10, 2023 (CS85).
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Additionally, and as part of our process to inform, engage and encourage fuller participation in our democracy, I have taken these steps to advise me on formulating this submission:
- held a briefing about the proposed redistribution, its impact on Sydney's north shore and how individuals can provide input to the AEC's processes; and
- added a question to my Community Survey, specifically aimed at eliciting input about people's views on the proposed redistribution.
What follows is a distillation of the comments received via both engagements.
- There is a deep trust in the processes of the Australian Electoral Commission and its related committees.
- There is a mix of concern, dismay and grief, that the electoral division the Committee proposes to abolish is one that was hard fought for and won by its local communities (rather than by party HQ). These communities elected a strongly performing independent in Kylea Tink MP, who, along with other community independent MPs, has notably contributed to the improved effectiveness of our democracy. For example:
- seeking to enhance the powers of the AEC and related institutions to stamp out lies in political advertising; and
- modelling improved parliamentary behaviours; and
- advocating for better resourcing of institutions, such as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, that help ensure our democracy continues to be the envy of most other nations globally.
I live in a community that overwhelmingly supports measures to further strengthen our precious democracy.
I believe communities that demonstrably engage in that democracy are key to pre-bunking political mis- and dis-information which in turn helps all Australians to realise their power expressed through our rightly esteemed electoral processes and institutions. Bradfield for Yes's success in the referendum was an example of that in action.
Accordingly, I urge you to consider the views provided in submissions made by the individuals living and working in the communities of North Sydney and to reflect these in your recommendations to the augmented Electoral Commission.
Nicolette Boele, July 12, 2024
BETTER IS POSSIBLE!
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Also see Nicolette Boele's statement on The Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) first draft of the proposed redistribution of federal seats in NSW here.
For media inquiries - please contact Gillian Bennett on 0402 153 728 or email: [email protected]