Electorate review proposes regional changes, including scrapping one of five electorates
A review into the South Australian electoral boundaries could see one of five of the state’s electorates scrapped. This could see two of the state’s longest serving MPs competing at the 2022 election.
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TWO prominent regional MPs could face off at the next election, under a proposal to adjust electoral boundaries.
The Electoral District Boundaries Commission is currently undertaking a review into all electorates in South Australia.
Among the proposals put forward by the State Liberal party is to remove the seat of Frome and extend the boundary of Stuart into Port Pirie and surrounding areas.
This could lead to Liberal Dan van Holst Pellekaan and independent Geoff Brock, who have served Stuart and Frome respectively for more than 10 years each, vying for the same seat at the 2022 election.
But Mr Brock, a former regional development minister in the Weatherill Government, labelled the proposal an insult, saying the boundary adjustment was a political move that did not take put the region’s interests first.
“The Liberal’s proposal is an insult to the people of Port Pirie and Port Augusta and what they are trying to do is get back seats they want, including Frome,” Mr Brock said.
“I am very disappointed in both parties and I think both Labor and Liberal need to have a look at themselves and their proposals and rethink how they will benefit country regions.”
As for the potential 2022 contest with Mr van Holst Pellekaan, Mr Brock said he will be prepared if it comes to that.
“I am very privileged and fortunate to do what I love and Dan is a friend of mine and if it comes to a situation where I have to run against him, then so be it,” Mr Brock said.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he was more focused on getting the best outcome for the region’s residents than a showdown with Mr Brock.
“My focus is on what is the best outcome for the people I represent, not who I could be competing against,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
“It is important the commissioners consider all possible options to get the best outcome for the state and I’m sure they will do that.”
Other seats which could be caught up in boundary changes include Giles, Flinders and Chaffey, which Labor and Liberal have identified by as having critically low elector numbers.
The solution both parties have presented is to abolish at least one of those electorates and redistribute the area.
Another proposal is to move Kangaroo Island from the electorate of Mawson into the electorate of Flinders, which was detailed in a submission by Mr van Holst Pellekaan.
In his submission, Mr van Holst Pellekaan said by moving KI it would mean parts of the Flinders electorate would not need to be redistributed into his electorate.
“Including KI in Flinders would have a minimal impact upon the people of KI and … it would have a small impact upon people of the Fleurieu Peninsula,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
“Not including KI in Flinders would likely have a huge impact upon the people of Stuart.”