Boundary changes shrink Corangamite electorate, expand Wannon and Corio

POPULATION growth across Armstrong Creek, the Surf Coast, and the Bellarine will lead to a smaller Corangamite electorate at the next federal election, according to the latest data from the Australian Electoral Commission released today.

Under the proposed boundary shakeup, the electorate of Wannon, held by Liberal federal member Dan Tehan, will expand eastward, absorbing Bellbrae, Paraparap, Moriac, Modewarre, and Inverleigh from Corangamite, held by Labor’s Libby Coker.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles’ seat of Corio, which encompasses Geelong, will expand, taking parts of Labor-held Lalor in the east and Corangamite in the west.

The AEC also proposes abolishing the marginal seat of Higgins, in Melbourne’s east.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the Victorian redistribution was required to enable a decrease from 39 to 38 electoral divisions.

“Under the proposal some significant changes would occur, with the boundaries of Victorian divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease.”

Victoria is required to abolish an electorate before the 2025 election due to slower population growth compared to other states.

Mr Rogers said the Redistribution Committee had been faced with a situation where a Victorian division had to be abolished and, as a consequence, 29 of the existing 39 divisions were outside the permissible numerical requirements.

In total, the boundaries of 34 electoral divisions in Victoria are changing.

The proposal is open for public discussion and objections until June 28.

The redistribution process aims to ensure proportional representation in the House of Representatives and similar elector numbers in each division.