Australian Capital Territory Representation (House of Representatives) Act 1973
RepealedCTH
This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.
Jurisdiction
Commonwealth
Act Number
111 of 1973
Collection
act
Plain English Summary
4/10 complexity
What This Law Does
This Act establishes the right of people living in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Jervis Bay Territory to be represented in the House of Representatives (the lower house of Australia's federal parliament) — and sets out exactly how that representation works.
Who Does It Affect?
Residents of the ACT and Jervis Bay Territory — they gain the right to vote for and be represented by two federal members of parliament
Elected members representing those territories — they receive the same powers, rights, and voting entitlements as members representing States
Key Things the Act Does
Creates two seats: The ACT and Jervis Bay Territory together are divided into two Electoral Divisions (electorates), each represented by one member of parliament
Sets up a boundary-drawing process: A temporary committee of three people (called a Distribution Committee) is appointed each time electoral boundaries need to be drawn or redrawn. The committee includes the Chief Electoral Officer and the Surveyor-General
Establishes rules for drawing boundaries: The committee must consider factors like community interests, population trends, and geography. The number of enrolled voters in each electorate must stay within 20% (one-fifth) of the average — keeping electorates roughly equal in size
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Requires public consultation: Before finalising boundaries, the committee must invite public suggestions and objections, publish proposed maps at post offices, and give the public 30 days to respond
Gives parliament a veto: Both Houses of Parliament must pass a resolution approving the proposed boundaries. If either House rejects them, the committee must start again
Grants full voting rights: Territory MPs have the same powers and voting rights in the House as MPs from the States — including being counted for the quorum (the minimum number needed for parliament to conduct business)
Applies standard electoral law: Elections in the territory electorates follow the same rules as State electorates under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, with any necessary adjustments
Handles election disputes: Disputes about election results can be lodged in Canberra and heard by the High Court or referred to the ACT Supreme Court
Repeals six earlier laws: Six previous Acts dealing with ACT representation are replaced by this single consolidated Act
Why It Matters
Before this Act, the ACT's representation arrangements were patchwork and limited. This law firmly established that territory residents are full participants in federal democracy — not second-class citizens — with elected MPs who can speak and vote on any issue before the House of Representatives.