Federal Redistribution Expands Macquarie Seat

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced proposed changes to federal electoral boundaries, including the expansion of the seat of Macquarie. Under the new proposal, Macquarie will now encompass Emu Plains, Emu Heights, and Leonay, in addition to retaining the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, welcomed the changes. “This is a logical expansion,” Templeman said, highlighting her strong connections to the new areas as a long-time lower Mountains resident. 

“I have strong connections already to the area, and the Redistribution Committee has clearly recognised the deep community ties between the villages at the foot of the mountains and the rest of my electorate,” Templeman said.

“I’ll continue to work hard for the communities in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury and I look forward to spending time deepening my understanding of the issues that the face the residents and small businesses of Emu Plains, Emu Heights and Leonay,” she said.

The announcement will come as a blow to Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon who had hoped to see the seat of Macquarie axed ahead of the next Federal election. The seat is currently held with a solid majority by the Templeman following a major swing against McMahon in her last failed, Federal tilt.

At present, Macquarie largely covers the local government areas (LGA) of Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. Under the Liberal proposal Windsor and Old Windsor Roads would have been the major dividing line between the North Shore and Western Sydney. Under the Liberal proposal the Hawkesbury would be in a new seat called Reibey. In September last year McMahon secured a second year as Mayor after she struck a deal with with Labor Councillors promising not to make a third bid for the Federal seat of Macquarie at the upcoming election.

The AEC’s draft redistribution of New South Wales electoral boundaries includes significant changes to several regional seats, including Hume, Riverina, and Eden-Monaro. This redistribution follows the requirement to ensure equal electorate sizes across states, leading to the adjustment of federal seats. Western Australia will regain its sixteenth seat, while New South Wales and Victoria will each lose one seat.

In total, more than 700,000 enrolled voters will see changes to their federal electoral divisions. Notably, the once-safe federal Liberal seat of North Sydney, currently held by Teal, Kylea Tink, will be abolished, with voters being redistributed into nearby seats including Bradfield, Bennelong, and Warringah.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers emphasised the necessity of these changes due to the decrease in the number of electoral divisions in New South Wales from 47 to 46. “Forty-five of the existing 47 division names would be retained,” Rogers added. The public has until July 12 to submit objections to the proposed changes.