The Electoral Matters Committee has commenced a review into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Ensuring Fair Representation of the Northern Territory) Bill 2020.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 17 June 2020

The Electoral Matters Committee has commenced a review into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Ensuring Fair Representation of the Northern Territory) Bill 2020. The bill, introduced to the Senate by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Senator the Hon Don Farrell, would amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act to provide for a minimum of two divisions for the Northern Territory in the House of Representatives. Analysis from the Parliamentary Library has projected the possibility of the Northern Territory losing one of its two House of Representatives seats before the next federal election, caused by its population falling below the entitlement quota for the second seat. The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all aspects of the bill. Prospective submitters are advised that any submission to the Committee’s inquiry must be prepared solely for the inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the Committee. Submissions are requested by 10 July 2020. Further information about making a submission to a committee inquiry can be found at the following link. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Ms Brooke Hargraves Office of Senator the Hon James McGrath 0458 689 043 or (07) 5441 1800 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2374 em@aph.gov.au