Federal Illawarra seats are tipped to be spared abolition in the next boundary redistribution, but shifting perimeters and a name change are among the early suggestions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following analysis of the country's latest population figures, NSW is required to give up a seat so Western Australia can gain one as part of a redistribution process that started in December and is due to finish early next year.
Submissions before the Australian Electoral Commission have revealed how NSW political parties and members of the public think the redistribution should unfold.
A suggestion lodged under the name Martin Brown states the seat of Throsby be renamed "Whitlam" in honour of late Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
"I propose that Throsby be renamed Whitlam in view it is only a recently named division and the convention is to recognise former Prime Ministers on their passing," Mr Gordon's suggestion said.
Most other submissions suggest the western Sydney seat of Werriwa, which was held by Mr Whitlam from 1952 to 1978, should be named after him.
In its boundary-change submission, the Liberal Party's NSW Division has proposed Throsby be moved in a northerly direction and encompass part of Cunningham to "become the Wollongong-based division that includes the entire central business district of Wollongong".
Other Liberal changes slated for Cunningham include relocating the remaining part of Farmborough Heights and more of Unanderra into Throsby, along with moving all electors from the Sutherland Shire into the southern Sydney divisions of Hughes and Cook. The party suggests Moss Vale, Burrawang, Robertson be relocated back into Gilmore.
The Labor Party's NSW branch echoed the idea of the "well below quota" Throsby being able to cover "Wollongong proper" - if part of Shellharbour (Oak Flats south of New Lake Entrance Road) was transferred to Gilmore.
"Cunningham, which is also significantly below quota, is then able to move north," the Labor submission said.
"It takes Bundeena from Cook and from Hughes it adds the southern suburbs of Sutherland Shire from Loftus down."
According to the submission, Cunningham's northern border should become similar to that of the state district Heathcote.
The NSW Greens suggested Throsby retains its Southern Highlands border, but shifts to include the Cunningham localities of Mount Kembla, Port Kembla and Unanderra - a move that would push Cunningham slightly north to gain about half of Engadine. The Greens' submission lists a minor change to the northern border of Gilmore, so it includes more of Warilla.
The 23 public submissions can be viewed at aec.gov.au and comments lodged until 6pm, June 5.
andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
