Research from Charles Sturt University has shown that businesses in regional NSW are concerned with the proposed changes to electoral boundaries resulting in the loss of one seat in the Federal Parliament for NSW.

 

Head of the University’s Western Research Institute (WRI), Tom Murphy, said that “although business is only one aspect of a Federal Member of Parliament’s responsibility, our study showed that a significant number of businesses believe representation by their federal member is important for their business.

 

“Business is worried that Federal members (MP) would only have the time and resources to concentrate on a few larger regional cities. It is also significant that a large number of businesses are unaware of the proposed changes.”

 

These results should be taken into account when the Australian Electoral Commission reconsiders the proposal at the end of this week.

 

The Australian Electoral Commission has proposed a reduction in the number of NSW Federal parliamentary seats from 50 to 49, with regional NSW losing the seat. This would result in a change of representative for some communities in the Central West and North Western regions, as well as larger electorates.

 

For example, Bathurst would move from the Federal electorate of Calare– represented by Independent MP Peter Andren, to Macquarie which is currently represented by Kerry Bartlett from the Liberal Party.

 

The Australian Electoral Commission is considering submissions of concern regarding the proposed changes up until this Friday 28 July.

 

The WRI, using data a survey of 410 businesses over 8 industry sectors, has shown that:

Results from respondents only in the Central West showed similar trends, however, more businesses – around 72 per cent – were aware of proposed changes.

 

Mr Murphy has called on the Australian Electoral Commission to consider this study when it reconsiders the proposed electoral at the end of this week.