The independent panel for Tasmania's redistribution has met following consideration of the latest round of written submissions and the conduct of a second public hearing.
The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania has decided that the proposal to rename Franklin to Tongerlongeter will not be adopted. As such, the names of all five of Tasmania's federal electorates – Bass, Braddon, Clark, Franklin and Lyons – will remain unchanged.
Panel member, and Australian Electoral Commissioner, Jeff Pope said that while there was support expressed for recognising Tongerlongeter, it was ultimately determined that further consultation and consideration was required.
"The panel considered the case for the proposed name to be very strong - including Tongerlongeter's strong connection to the area encompassed by the new boundaries of the electorate of Franklin," Mr Pope said.
"However, public submissions not only indicated a level of disagreement among Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations and individuals about the proposed name but also highlighted a broad sentiment that further consultation was required."
"While other name options were put forward, including Mathinna, Rooke and Woureddy, the panel had to reach its final decision based on the evidence and views already received – the redistribution process allows no more time for further consultation."
"The panel is very grateful for the large number of submissions and those who took the time to appear before public hearings, but ultimately determined that further conversations and proposals regarding any potential changes to electorate names is best considered at future redistributions of Tasmania."
Public consultation phases and input
Throughout the Tasmanian federal redistribution process the following public consultation was undertaken, with each stage open to anyone to contribute.
- Oct-Nov 2025: Written ideas - 24 submissions received
- Nov 2025: Written feedback on ideas - 10 submissions received
- Feb-March 2026: Written ideas on the proposal - 95 submissions received
- March 2026: Written feedback on ideas - 17 submissions received
- April 2026: 1st public consultation session - 8 people presented
- July 2026: Further written feedback - 272 submissions received
- July 2026: 2nd public consultation session - 11 people presented
"While consultation was extensive, the panel accepts that there is likely to be a greater level of public engagement once a name has actually been proposed – and that happened relatively late in this redistribution process," Mr Pope said.
"Unfortunately, under the legislation, we were then tied to a 7-day period for further public consultation on the proposed name, and a public hearing needed to be held within 14 days."
"The panel did seek to engage the various members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community on the question of the name of the electorate, and a number of organisations and individuals from the Aboriginal community took the opportunity to express their views through a formal submission."
"This outreach included contacting the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) before and after a name was proposed, to encourage the TAC to consider making a submission, noting the submissions process is the formal way the panel can receive input under redistribution laws."
Renaming electorates – the process
A theme expressed in public submissions included the view from some that the AEC should not propose or determine electorate name changes.
Panel member and Australian Electoral Commissioner, Jeff Pope reiterated that the independent panel always defers to redistributions laws and requirements.
"It is an independent panel of AEC and non-AEC members that must consider both electorate boundaries and names under section 73(1) of the Electoral Act," Mr Pope said.
"That is, and has long been, a part of the process for federal electoral redistributions as determined by Parliament."
"Naming electorates is a process that occurs with strong reference to public input and the naming guidelines that have been compiled by Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters over many years."
Electorate boundaries
Tasmania's electorate boundaries will be adopted as proposed in the announcement on 15 July .
The new boundaries of Tasmania's federal electorates - determined through this redistribution - will take effect from the next federal election. This means that Members of the House of Representatives will continue to represent their electorate based on the previous boundaries until a writ is issued for the next federal election.
