Redistribution leaves handful of Victorian politicians with electorate offices outside their area
Voters haven’t been the only ones caught out by a sudden change in electoral boundaries, with a handful of Victorian politicians finding their offices outside their electorates. All now say they’re moving — except one senior Andrews Government minister.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Voters haven’t been the only ones caught out by a sudden change in electorate boundaries, with a handful of Victorian politicians finding their offices out of area.
Last year’s redistribution of the state’s federal electoral divisions — which was needed to add an extra Victorian seat to the House of Representatives — left three MPs scrambling to find new offices.
Calwell Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou’s Keilor Downs office is now in the Fraser electorate, McEwen Labor MP Rob Mitchell’s Craigieburn headquarters is in Calwell and Holt Labor member Anthony Byrne’s base is in La Trobe.
The federal Finance Department requires electorate offices to be in the electorate, but this year’s election and administrative processes has delayed the relocation.
A Leader analysis of state politicians’ offices also found two members located outside their electorates, including Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan.
The Bendigo East member’s office in Mitchell St in the regional city’s CBD was in the seat of Bendigo West, about two blocks from the boundary.
MORE NEWS:
DUAL TAEKWONDO OLYMPIAN DEAD AT 50
SCHOOL’S DRASTIC MEASURES TO COMBAT CONGESTION
THUGS PICK WRONG FIGHT WITH CRAIGIEBURN BOXER
GALAXY TABLET OFFER FOR NEW LEADER SUBSCRIBERS
The seat’s border last changed in 2013 and it’s understood the office has been outside the electorate for some time.
All politicians indicated they were in the process of moving — except Ms Allan.
“Jacinta Allan’s electorate office is located within the CBD of Bendigo, to enable constituents of all parts of the Bendigo East electorate to have regular contact,” state government spokeswoman Hayley Bester said.
“This location was approved by the Parliamentary Services Office.”
MORE:
VICROADS PUTS FORWARD SAFEST SYDNEY RD OPTION
COULD MELBOURNE’S WASTE BE TURNED INTO ELECTRICITY?
Ms Vamvakinou said she was hoping to move back to Broadmeadows — “the heartland of Calwell” — by the end of the year.
“The electorate office for Calwell has for many years been located in the Broadmeadows area and this is where I am hoping to return it,” she said.
“When I regained the suburbs of Keilor, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham (in the 2013 redistribution) I felt it would be beneficial to have a presence in that part of what had been the electorate of Calwell when I first became the member in 2001.
“This latest redistribution re-drew the boundaries for Calwell removing Keilor, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham and reuniting the entire Craigieburn — which has since had massive growth.”
Mr Mitchell said he also hoped to be in his new Wallan office by 2020 but had advocated to keep Craigieburn in McEwen.
“It does seem quite odd that to get from one side of the electorate to the other, you actually need to drive through four other electorates if you wish to use a major road,” he said.
Mr Byrne said he was in discussions to move his Fountain Gate Shopping Centre office to Cranbourne, while state Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas — who moved into his predecessor’s office in the seat of Narre Warren North after being elected last year — said he was relocating to Hampton Park in the second week of December.
Melbourne council hit with inquiry amid alleged fraud and dysfunction
The state government has stepped in to investigate Whittlesea council, rocked by dodgy ballots, suspended mayors and claims of toxic leadership.
NPL: Port’s perfect start, Avondale bounces back
TALKING POINTS: Port Melbourne Sharks makes the perfect start under its new coach, Melbourne Knights has a new leader and Bentleigh Greens closes on top spot.