Ballan and Bacchus Marsh will be part of a newly formed electorate named after former Prime Minister Bob Hawke under proposed boundary changes released today.
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The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) published maps suggesting the new shape of electorates for the next federal election.
Population growth means there are more electors within the current Ballarat division than permitted by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the AEC has said.
If the changes go ahead, it would mean the Ballarat electorate would significantly change its shape, effectively swapping large parts of Moorabool Shire for a swathe of Golden Plains Shire
The AEC says the new boundaries would "more equitably balance electors in the rural and regional west."
The changes are unlikely to make significant shifts to the political dynamic of what has become a very safe seat for the incumbent federal representative Catherine King, who has represented the electorate in Canberra since 2001.
The maps also outline the suggested new electorate of Hawke, which would include Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.
It also shows that Smythesdale, Linton and Enfield and Rokewood, which were all previously part of the Wannon electorate, will be folded into the Ballarat boundaries.
BALLARAT PROPOSED BOUNDARIES:
If the changes go ahead as presently indicated, the Ballarat electorate boundaries will also include Meredith, Lethbridge and Inverleigh, which had previously formed part of Corangamite.
That electorate itself may be subject to substantial change, including an extension of its boundaries to the south and a proposed re-naming to Tucker, after Margaret Tucker, a Yorta Yorta woman who advocated on behalf of Aboriginal people.
PROPOSED NEW ELECTORATE OF HAWKE:
Objections can be lodged to the proposed divisions until April 16, with comments on any objections subsequently open until April 30,
If the changes go ahead, there would be 39 electorates in Victoria instead of 38.
Consultation began last year.
Under federal electorate guidelines, former prime ministers should be considered when naming new divisions.
Victoria is one of two states that is part of current electoral boundary re-distribution recommendations, the other being Western Australia.
The changes would be in place for the next federal election, which is due to take place by May next year.
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