What was the legislative basis for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?
When were the 1994 electoral boundaries determined?
Who conducted the 1994 Electoral Distribution?
What were the key parameters governing the 1994 Electoral Distribution?
What were the resulting quotients for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?
What criteria were used to draw the boundaries for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?
How can I obtain more information about the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

What was the legislative basis for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

Section 2A(2) of the Electoral Distribution Act 1947 (now repealed) provided that if the same division of the State had applied in respect of two successive general elections for the Legislative Assembly, the State shall be divided into regions and districts as soon as practicable after the day that is one year after the polling day for the second of those general elections.

When were the 1994 electoral boundaries determined?

The formal process of determining the 1994 electoral boundaries commenced on 3 June 1994 with the placement of advertisements calling for submissions from interested parties. The steps followed were then undertaken in accordance with the legislation.

Details of the division of the State into electoral regions and districts were set out in Government Gazette No. 168 of 28 November 1994. The electoral boundaries specified took effect from the State General Election on 14 December 1996.

Who conducted the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

The 1994 Division of the State was conducted under the provisions of the Electoral Distribution Act 1947 (now repealed) by the following three Electoral Distribution Commissioners:

1. Chairman - the Chief Justice (Hon. Mr Justice David Malcolm AC),
2. Electoral Commissioner (Mr Les Smith), and
3. Government Statistician, a position held by the Deputy Commonwealth Statistician (Mr Peter Kelly).

What were the key parameters governing the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

The basis for the division of the State was set out in section 6 of the Electoral Distribution Act 1947 (now repealed) which stated:

"(1) The Commissioners shall -

(a) divide the Metropolitan Area into 34 districts; and
(b) divide the area comprising the remainder of the State into 23 districts.

(2) The Commissioners shall make the division of an area mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b) into districts in accordance with the principle that the number of enrolled electors comprised in any district in the area must not be more than 15% greater, or more than 15% less, than the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of enrolled electors in the area by the number of districts into which the area is to be divided."

What were the resulting quotients for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

On 7 February 1994, the date on which roll details for use in the distribution were determined, the following statistics applied:

Metropolitan Area Quotient	760,595 divided by 34 districts = 22,370
Country Area Quotient	273,411 divided by 23 districts = 11,887

What criteria were used to draw the boundaries for the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

In making the division of the State, the Electoral Distribution Commissioners were required by section 7 of the Electoral Distribution Act 1947 (now repealed) to give due consideration to the following matters:

1. community of interest;
2. means of communication and distance from the capital;
3. physical features;
4. existing boundaries of regions and districts;
5. existing local government boundaries;
6. the trend of demographic changes;
7. and where the State is divided for the first time - boundaries of the electoral provinces and electoral districts into which the State was divided prior to the division.

How can I obtain more information about the 1994 Electoral Distribution?

The Western Australian Government Gazette of Monday, 28 November 1994, No. 168 provides all details relating to the 1994 Division of the State. Included are details of the electoral distribution process, maps of new electoral boundaries, timetable used, quotients, technical descriptions and reference materials. Copies may be purchased from the Western Australian Electoral Commission or the State Law Publisher.