THE ground is shifting under the feet of some voters in the Geelong region, with the electorate of Corangamite to have its name and boundaries changed before the next federal election.\u00a0\u00a0This week, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) published its report on the proposed redistribution of Victoria\u2019s federal divisions but the changes locally have already drawn objections, including from incumbent MP Sarah Henderson.<\/p>\n
Under the redistribution, Corangamite\u2019s name would become Cox \u2013 to recognise the contribution of swimming teacher May Cox, who has strong ties to Queenscliff as a teacher of swimming and lifesaving \u2013 but Ms Henderson said the new name \u201chas already prompted some ridicule on social media\u201d and that \u201cthe electorate\u2019s character was defined not just by its coastline\u201d.<\/p>\n
Under the changes, Cox would lose the suburbs of Highton and Belmont as well as the city of Colac, but would gain all of the Bellarine Peninsula.\u00a0\u00a0The boundary changes will make the Liberal-held marginal seat even more marginal.\u00a0\u00a0Ms Henderson \u2013 who opened a second electorate office in Colac this week \u2013 said there was \u201ca very strong case for all of Colac Otway Shire to remain in the electorate\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city of Colac, in many respects, is the heart and soul of this federation seat.\u00a0 The communities of interest between Colac and Geelong, including the social and economic links, are exceptionally strong.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI am also very disappointed that so much of Geelong has been removed from the Corangamite electorate which is detrimental to our city\u2019s economic, social and cultural interests.\u201d<\/p>\n
The AEC\u2019s redistribution committee stated it \u201cwas loath to change the name of the division (\u201cCorangamite\u201d is a variation of an Indigenous word for \u201cbitter water\u201d) but observed that that the boundaries have changed so much that it is no longer connected to Lake Corangamite or the Corangamite Shire Council\u201d.<\/p>\n
The AEC will accept objections about the proposal until May 4, and will publish its final determination on the matter on July 13.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE ground is shifting under the feet of some voters in the Geelong region, with the electorate of Corangamite to have its name and boundaries changed before the next federal election.\u00a0\u00a0This week, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) published its report on the proposed redistribution of Victoria\u2019s federal divisions but the changes locally have already drawn […]<\/p>\n