MEDIA RELEASE | From the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission

The Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission (“the Commission”) has released its redistribution report, which contains plans of the electoral districts to be contested at the next State election.

The report details the Commission’s reasons for altering the electoral districts in the manner shown in the maps of the 47 electoral districts included in the report. The report is available on the Commission’s website at edbc.sa.gov.au

The electoral quota for each electoral district of 27,423 is based on the State’s electoral enrolment of 1,288,896 as at the relevant date of 30 June 2024. The projected enrolment by 30 June 2026 is 1,328,188, such that the projected electoral quota for each electoral district is 28,259.

The redistribution alters the boundaries of 16 of the 47 House of Assembly electoral districts and results in approximately 38,894 electors changing electoral district.

Secretary to the Commission, Mr David Gully, noted, “the Commission was again faced with declining populations in regional districts, and pursuant to the Constitution Act 1934 (SA) is compelled to ensure the number of electors in each district is within the allowable tolerance of 10% of the electoral quota.”

Mr Gully further noted, “this has necessitated changes to the districts in the west and north of the State, including the reuniting of Port Augusta within the district of Giles with Whyalla. Stuart retains Port Pirie and expands further to the south.”

Mr Gully said, “the Commission has also determined that the electoral district of Frome should be renamed having considered representations and historical records regarding the third Surveyor-General of South Australia, General Edward Charles Frome’s involvement in retributive actions taken against Aboriginal people in the Coorong area in 1840, following what has been referred to as the ‘Maria Massacre’.”

The electoral district will now be named Ngadjuri. Ngadjuri, pronounced ‘Na-dju-ri’, means “we people” and refers to the Ngadjuri people, whose traditional lands cover the mid north region of South Australia, including a significant portion of the electoral district formerly named Frome. 

Mr Gully also highlighted that “while the Commission had proposed in its draft report to change the boundaries of Flinders, Black, Croydon, Gibson, Morphett, and West Torrens, it has considered a number of submissions and determined to retain the boundaries of these electoral districts, set in the 2020 electoral redistribution.”

“The Commission expresses its appreciation to those who made representations and submissions during the course of this electoral redistribution, many of which were wellconsidered and provided valuable contributions,” Mr Gully said.

Media contact: Mr David Gully – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – 0419 039 887