he South Australian Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission was established in 1975 by an
amendment to the Constitution Act 1934. The Commission has perpetual succession and the power
and functions of a Royal Commission. It is constituted of a senior judge of the Supreme Court
appointed by the Chief Justice, the Electoral Commissioner and the Surveyor-General. The Commission
makes electoral redistributions - divisions of the State into House of Assembly electoral districts. It is
required to commence proceedings within three months after each polling day for a State general election
or as soon as practicable after the enactment of an Act altering the number of members of the House
of Assembly. The Commission is also required to ‘proceed with all due diligence to complete those
proceedings’1 by publishing an order in the Gazette. There is a limited right of appeal against that order2.
1 Constitution Act 1934 (SA) s82 (3)
2 Constitution Act 1934 (SA) s86 (2)
Members of the Commission
..............................................................................
Chairman
The Honourable Justice Prior
The Electoral Commissioner
Mr Steven H Tully
The Surveyor-General
Mr Peter M Kentish
Staff appointed to serve the Commission
..............................................................................
Secretary
Mr Clive R Anson
Research Officer
Mr David N Gully
The number of electors in each district is
determined by dividing the total number
of electors (at no more than six months
prior to the expected date for Gazettal
of the Order), by the number of electoral
districts into which the State is to be
divided (set at 47 since 1969).
eg
The Commission must have regard to:
the desirability of making the electoral
redistribution so as to reflect
communities of interest of an economic,
social, regional or other kind;
the population of each proposed
electoral district;
the topography of areas within which
new electoral boundaries will be drawn;
the feasibility of communication
betwe