Western Australia to lose seat of Stirling, plus big changes to Pearce and Cowan

Western Australia looks set to lose the seat of Stirling at the next federal election, while there will also be significant changes to seats held by Attorney-General Christian Porter and Labor’s Anne Aly.

The Australian Electoral Commission released its draft redistribution plan on Friday, cutting the number of seats in the state from 16 to 15.

With the proposed abolition of Stirling, which is held by Liberal MP Vince Connelly, electors would be split into surrounding divisions of Cowan, Curtin, Moore and Perth.

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Electors in 15 Wheatbelt shires will also be transferred from Durack to O’Connor, while six Wheatbelt shires will move from Mr Porter’s seat of Pearce to Durack and O’Connor.

It means all WA Wheatbelt shires will be included in two divisions rather than three.

Northern Perth suburbs of Girrawheen, Koondoola, Balga and Mirrabooka will also be united in the proposed division of Cowan, which is held by Dr Aly.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers acknowledged some significant changes would occur under the proposal.

“Fifteen of the existing 16 division names would be retained,” he said.

“The basis for naming the division of Canning would be expanded to acknowledge Sadie Miriam Canning – in recognition of her work to improve Indigenous and rural healthcare in Western Australia.”

Ms Canning was WA’s, and possibly Australia’s, first Indigenous nurse and matron.

Stirling is named after Sir James Stirling, who was infamously involved in the 1834 Pinjarra massacre that killed up to 80 Aboriginal people.

The draft redistribution proposal is now open for objections and comments.

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