Australia’s population boom is set to result in more Members of Parliament

AUSTRALIA’S population boom is likely to expand the number of pollies we have in Federal Parliament - although one state may be set to lose an MP.

Australia’s growing population means the country is likely to have more political representatives. Picture: Kym Smith

AUSTRALIA’S population boom could have a major side effect that will overhaul the nation’s political landscape and result in more federal politicians for the first time in almost two decades.

Census data released today showed the population had jumped to more than 23.4 million people in 2016.

The Australian Electoral Commission will now use new population data to determine the number of seats in parliament, which could potentially trigger electorate redistributions in two states and the Australian capital territory.

Australia could also have more federal politicians for the first time since 2001 at the next federal election.

Based on the formula currently used to determine the number of MPs for each state, the Parliamentary Library predicts the number of MPs will increase from 150 to 151.

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The House of Representatives is set to grow from 150 to 152 MPs. Picture: Kym Smith

Both Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory are expected to get another MP, while South Australia is slated to lose one MP.

Experts at the Library predict there will be no change in the number of divisions for any other state or territory.

“If South Australia is reduced to 10 seats it will return to the number of seats it had at the 1954 election and continue the decline from its maximum representation of 13 seats [at the] 1984, 1987 and 1990 elections,” an analysis from the library said.

Boundaries will have to be redrawn and ready to go before the next federal election, which has to occur before May 2019.

Redistributions of seats currently under review could be delayed if the data shows a trend towards a change of entitlement.