INCORRECT data given to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has not affected WA’s federal seat redistribution, according to an AEC spokesperson.

The spokesperson said members of the public queried the original statistics, leading the AEC to contact the ABS and receiving amended projection data in early 2024.

“It has not affected the proposal being made, or the timetable for redistribution, because the proposal was yet to be created or announced when the revised data was received,” the spokesperson said.

“The proposal for WA’s federal boundaries will be based on the correct enrolment projections.”

In New federal seat proposed for Perth’s east electoral commissioner Tom Rogers said WA was entitled to another seat in the House of Representatives, increasing the number from 15 to 16.

Both the Liberal and Labor party’s proposals could see the Hasluck electorate shrink and be pushed further westward towards Ellenbrook.

The Liberal’s proposal seeks to name the new seat after former WA premier Sir Charles Court and would encompass the Wheatbelt alongside Bullsbrook and hills suburbs such as Lesmurdie.

Labor’s proposal sought to name the seat after Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer with the seat covering the Perth Hills and foothills suburbs, taking the north-eastern hills’ suburbs out of Hasluck. 

The electoral commission is set to release its determination of WA’s federal electoral divisions later this year on September 24.