The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has today announced the new boundaries for the New South Wales Federal electorates, including confirming significant changes to the Riverina electorate which were proposed in June. As a result, Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack has had his electorate split with new boundaries brought in ahead of next years federal election.
Cowra will remain in Riverina however Canowindra will go to Calare and Forbes and Parkes will fall into the seat of Parkes that is currently held by outgoing member, Hon. Mark Coulton.
The changes also means Mr. McCormack will now service Boorowa and Crookwell in a shake up a long time coming. McCormack is no stranger to having his electorate boundaries changed having once serviced as far west as Griffith.
“This means the Local Government Areas of Bland, Forbes and Parkes will be moved out of the Riverina electorate into the Parkes electorate and the Riverina will now include Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley LGAs from the Eden-Monaro electorate and the Upper Lachlan LGA as well as the Boorowa section of the Hilltops LGA from the Hume electorate," Michael said.
“The AEC advises the new boundaries will be formally determined when gazetted on Thursday 10 October 2024.
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“I would like to take the opportunity to once again thank the people of the Bland, Forbes and Parkes Shires. I have been truly honoured to represent their interests in Canberra and will continue to support them until the next Federal Election, which is due before May 2025. I have established wonderful working relationships with each Shire’s community leaders and stakeholders, including the councils and I sincerely thank them for their professionalism and support, particularly each area’s past and present mayors – Bland Shire’s Neil Pokoney, Tony Lord and Brian Monaghan, Forbes Shire’s Graeme Miller and Phyllis Miller OAM and Parkes Shire’s Ken Keith OAM and Neil Westcott."
McCormack will be a big loss to those communities having championed for Forbes recently after the November 2022 floods.
“By the same token, I am looking forward to the opportunity to represent Boorowa and the communities of Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs to continue to work tirelessly to fiercely advocate for and on their behalf," McCormack said.
“I intend to hit the road as soon as practicable to meet as many people as possible in the newer parts of the electorate as well as continuing to service the current electorate to the best of my ability," he said.
“I am determined to continue to build on my strong record of delivery for the Riverina electorate and have the dedication, energy and experience to deliver on this commitment for the people who live, work and raise their families in this beautiful part of the world."
The current Riverina electorate is 48,988 square kilometres in size – larger than some countries. The new boundaries expand the electorate’s size to about 52,410 square kilometres (the fourth largest of 46 Federal electorates in New South Wales) and the voting population will rise from around 118,000 (117,895) to 127,626.
