FOUR federal electorates have been left unscathed in a redistribution that cuts one seat in Victoria.
Mallee, the largest electorate in Victoria, Gippsland, Indi and Monash will be contested at the federal election due by next May on unchanged boundaries.
Loddon Shire communities are in Mallee that is projected to have an enrolment of 125,051 by 2028 and be under the seat votger quota by 1.72 per cent.
The redistribution committee said altering Mallee boundaries with neighbouring electoral divisions would not assist in balancing the numerical requirements in surrounding electoral divisions, nor would it lead to improved communities of interest”.
The Nationals had urged the committee to make no changes in Gippsland, Indi, Mallee, and Monash with minimal changes to other regional divisions.
There were three submissions that Loddon Shire and Central Goldfields Shire communities be moved into the Bendigo electorate with another three wanting parts of Loddon and Gannawarra Shires moved into the Nicholls electorate.
According to the AEC report released last week, enrolment projections of the Loddon Shire will increase from 5395 last year to 5681 in 2028.
“Victoria’s entitlement to electoral divisions has reduced from 39 to 38 due to a relatively slower rate of population growth compared to other states and territories. Of Victoria’s existing 39 electoral divisions, 29 do not meet the numerical requirements of the Electoral Act. This has resulted in alterations to the boundaries of a significant number of Victoria’s electoral divisions,” the report said.
The inner Melbourne east seat of Higgins will be abolished but no seat name changes have been proposed.
A redistribution has also been completed in Western Australia.
Objections to the Victorian proposals will be open until early July with the final boundaries approved in October.
A federal election is required by next May.
Mallee is held for the Nationals by Anne Webster who has already been pre-selected to seek a third term.
Dr Webster was elevated to the Coalition frontbench as an assistant shadow spokesperson at the last election.