For years, South Australia’s Liberal MPs have complained they would be in government if not for unfair electoral boundaries. But a special panel has been told there’s virtually nothing the state’s electoral commission can do to prevent voters being handed the “wrong” result. The Liberals have languished in opposition since 2002 despite winning a majority of the two-party preferred vote on three occasions. University of Adelaide political scientist Clem Macintyre has pinned the blame on factors beyond the electoral commission’s scope, such as conservative independent MPs siding with Labor.
In a submission to the panel on Tuesday, Professor Macintyre said the state’s geographical gulfs have reinforced a concentration of Labor voters in metropolitan Adelaide.
The constitution demands that electoral districts must have solid boundaries, which has restricted the commission’s ability to balance out the spread of voters.
“The methodology used by the commissioners to determine the various boundary changes is transparent, comprehensive and rigorous,” Prof Macintyre wrote.
Full Article: SA electoral reform a tough task.