Name’s the same but federal boundaries to change

BOUNDARY changes will see the Surf Coast Shire split between federal electorates, with towns including Angelsea, Lorne and Winchelsea to leave Corangamite and become part of Wannon in less than three weeks.

The Division of Corangamite will retain its name and not be renamed Tucker, as proposed earlier this year, in the Victorian electoral redistribution.

A large area of Surf Coast Shire will move from Corangamite to Wannon (presently held by Hamilton-based Liberal MP Dan Tehan).

Corangamite will comprise the Borough of Queenscliffe, part of the Golden Plains Shire, part of the City of Greater Geelong and part of the Surf Coast Shire.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) released its initial report with proposed names and boundaries in March, and invited submissions before making its final decision on June 29. The changes will take effect on July 26.

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said she endorsed the initial proposal to rename the seat to Tucker in honour of Aboriginal activist and Yorta Yorta woman Margaret Tucker.

“We need more electorates named after women – especially our First Nations women,” she said.

“However, after much consideration with my local community, I believe the AEC has made the right decision. Corangamite is a federation seat. It has a strong connection to the region, and name itself is derived from the Gulidjan word for bitter.

“We are a fast-growing region and because of that there has needed to be significant changes to the electorate. I will always work to do the best for the people who live in the Corangamite electorate.”

Mr Tehan said it was a “great honour to represent every community in my wonderful electorate”.

“If formally gazetted, I am ready to continue working hard for both my current and additional communities including Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea.”

Victorian Liberal Senator (and former Corangamite federal member) Sarah Henderson said she was delighted Corangamite had been retained as the name of the electorate as local residents had a deep connection with the Indigenous-named seat.

“I was very pleased to make an in-person submission to the AEC about my concerns including that the word ‘Tucker’; could be graffitied on signage and other materials and bring the electoral process, including candidates for election, into disrepute,” she said.

Surf Coast Shire acting chief executive officer Anne Howard said the council continued to aim to build and maintain positive relationships with all federal and state elected representatives, regardless of any redistributions.

“Council’s reputation as a constructive and reliable partner will continue to be important when seeking funding from others.

“We are confident that projects that deliver benefits to local and regional communities will continue to be a priority for every level of government.”