Comment on objection number 4 Hon Michael Ferguson MP 2 pages Tasmanian secretariat Phone (03) 6235 0503 Email [email protected] HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Redistribution Committee - Tasmania 2nd Floor, NAB House 86 Collins Street HOBART TAS 7000 Dear members of the committee Re: Redistribution, Division of Bass - Comments on objections I wish to convey my support of the objections made to the Redistribution Committee's proposal regardingthe Division of Bass. Neither of Tasmania'stwo major political parties support the changesproposed to the Division of Bass, nor does the Dorset Council. Specifically, the excision of the municipalities ofFlinders and Dorset from Bass and their transfer to the Division of Lyons is unnecessary. The proposed changes overlook community of interests, means of communication and travel considerations and they will significantly disadvantage local residents, industry and businesses. I am not aware of any support from Flinders Council for the proposed changes, howevermy strong view is that members ofboth Flinders and Dorset communities would not support their relocation into a different electorate. To ensure the appropriatenumber of electors are enrolled in each division, there is a need for some redistribution of areas within the state. I believe that this shouldbe achievedin a waythat minimises the impact on the people ofTasmania. The minimisationof impact approachis strongly supported by the TasmanianDivision ofthe Liberal Party and also endorsedby the Australian LaborParty TasmanianBranch. The Liberal Party clearly stated in its submission that since the Division of Bass is currently within required legislative parameters, no changeshould be made to the existingboundaries. The LaborParty's submission was in agreement on this point. The Dorset Council has also objected to this change of boundaries. As the Dorset Mayor observed, the Dorset region has been part of Bass for more than a century. Its people, businesses, industry and community groups in the areahave substantial connections with Launceston. Townships throughout the Dorset municipality are linked to Launceston for health, education, commercial, cultural and transport purposes, with little associationwith the east coast or southern Tasmania. In contrast these connections do not exist for these communities with the Division of Lyons. It is clear that the community ofinterest for the Dorset and Flinders municipalities remainwith Bass and Launceston as a regional centre, and would not be reproduced with Lyons. Part ofthe difficulty with the creation of a community of interest between Dorset and the Division of Lyons is the size of the Division. With its large area and dispersed population its local Members of Parliament already face challenges in serving their constituents. This will be exacerbated by the inclusion of Dorset within Lyons. If the lack of strong community of interest is an argument for not moving Dorset into Lyons, the consideration of community of interests is even more important for the electors ofFlinders Island, who look to Launceston as their main mainland Tasmanian link and travel there for health, education, retail and business services. The island community has no little or no connectionwith the Division of Lyons or its towns and would be severely disadvantagedin gaining direct access to their representatives if they were transferred to Lyons. It is very clear that transferring two additionalmunicipalities to Lyons would significantly increase its area. The geographical enlargement of the electorate would diminish the level of access to and engagementwith its elected representatives currently experiencedby the electors. In summary, there are no logical geographical, social or financial connections that support the transfer of the Flinders Island and Dorset municipalities from Bass to Lyons and the proposal is strongly opposed by the Dorset Council. Neitherof Tasmania'smajor political parties have recommended changesto the Bass Division and the changes proposed would significantly impact local communities. Speakingas an individual elected member representingthe Bass electorate: the proposed boundary changes will have a flow through effect to the state boundaries. I strongly agree with the objections put forwardwith respect to the impact ofthe proposed changes and the lack of communities ofinterest between Lyons, Dorset and Flinders Island. On a more personal note, I can attest that the inclusion of those municipalities in Lyons would increase the difficulty of members ofparliament to provide those communities with the very best level of access to their elected representatives whichthey thoroughly deserve. Given there is no population requirement necessitating alteration to the boundariesof Bass, I would urge the Redistribution Committee to maintain the Division of Bass as it currently exists and explore other options to achieverequired rebalancingin Tasmania's other divisions. Yours sincerely Michae Fer son MP </^/20^.