QUEENSLAND`S electoral watchdog is expected to today recommend the abolition of three seats in regional areas and the creation of three new ones in the state`s south-east.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland is moving into the final phase of the first state redistribution since 1999, triggered by rapid growth in the state`s south-east.
Electoral commissioner David Kerslake said he would today publish draft new boundaries for the state`s 89 parliamentary seats.
The proposed boundaries would then be open for public comment and final boundaries would be published in August, before the parties begin their preselections.
Despite population growth, the number of seats will remain the same for the election due in 2009.
In submissions received to date, the Queensland Liberals have argued for the abolition of three regional seats and the creation of three replacements in the state`s south-east.
The new seats would take in the northern Gold Coast (to be called Carrara), Brisbane`s outer north (Pine Rivers) and the central area of the Sunshine Coast (Coolum).
They would be at the expense of Nanango, in the Burnett region, Fitzroy in central Queensland and Tablelands, in north Queensland.
The Nationals also have proposed the scrapping of Tablelands, held by One Nation, and Fitzroy, held by Labor, and the creation of new seats in the Gold Coast hinterland and the area between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Labor said the commission should consider redrawing boundaries to create seats based on the outer northern suburbs of Brisbane and the region taking in the Logan City-Gold Coast corridor, south of Brisbane.
The ALP also has recommended substantial changes to northern and central Queensland seats.
The changes are expected to trigger a number of MP retirements.
Share this article
