The biggest news item from the current federal electoral redistribution is that NSW loses one seat.
That looks like being the seat of North Sydney, but the second biggest change proposed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is to the seat of Hume, held by shadow treasurer Angus Taylor.
If the proposed boundary changes get the green light, Mr Taylor will be in a vastly different seat at the next election.
Currently Hume is made up of urban areas in the north – Macarthur, mostly Camden and the semi rural Wollondilly Shire.
The biggest area of the electorate is in the Goulburn and Southern Highlands regions.
Under the proposed changes, Hume will lose most of the southern parts (see map above).
Mr Taylor, who was first elected in 2013 under the Liberal Party banner, is not happy about the proposed changes.
“The proposed electoral redistribution announced by the AEC on Friday will change my electorate of Hume significantly,’’ he said in a media statement.
“Under the AEC proposal, Goulburn Mulwaree Council will transition into the Eden Monaro electorate, the seat of Whitlam will expand to embrace all of the Southern Highlands, and Upper Lachlan Shire Council and Boorowa will shift into the Riverina electorate.
“I would like to note that the boundary changes are not yet finalised and won’t be until October 10.
“Under AEC rules if a federal election was to be held before this, the old Hume electorate boundaries would remain,’’ Mr Taylor said.
“It is an honour and privilege to represent these communities and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 10 years.
“I will continue to work hard to represent my constituents as we take the fight to Labor ahead of the next election,’’ he said.
The proposed electoral boundary changes were made public last week.
The Liberal Party initially made a submission to the Australian Electoral Commission about where they thought the boundaries should go, with Mr Taylor providing input.
When the party makes a response to the draft proposed boundaries, the Hume MP will also provide input.
Objections close on July 12.
