Over and under representation in the Western Australian State Parliament

Statistics from State referendum of 16th May 2009
Citizens do not have equal political influence
Area Enrolments Assembly seats Council seats
Metro 74.7% 71.2% [42] 50% [18]
Country 25.3% 28.8% [17] 50% [18]
State 100% [59] [36]

Inequality among electors in Assembly districts

Average enrolments
Metro districts average 23,854 Metro : Country ratio 1.19 : 1
Country districts average 19,980
Percentages above or below State average district enrolment of 22,738
Highest district
Lowest district
Ratio between highest and lowest		 Wanneroo
Pilbara
 		 +24.3%
-51.1%
2.5 : 1
For the Commonwealth House of Representatives and most State Parliaments, electorate enrolments may vary by only 10% from the average

Inequality among electors in Council regions

Average enrolments
Metro regions average 55,661 Metro : Country ratio 2.95 : 1
Country regions average 18,870
Percentages above or below State average region enrolment per Member of 37,265
Highest region
Lowest region
Ration between highest and lowest		 North Metropolitan
Mining & Pastoral
  		+50.5%
-66.9%
4.5 : 1

Other facts

  		•

    The two Assembly districts with the lowest enrolments together contain fewer electors than the single district with the highest enrolment.

  • The three Legislative Council regions with the lowest enrolments elect 18 out of the 36 Councillors which means they can veto any matter. They contain only 25.3% of electors.

  • Among 4 State and 2 Territory Parliaments in Australia the principle of equal representation is applied in drawing electoral boundaries. There are two exceptions based on the area of districts; 5 of the 89 districts for the Queensland Assembly and 5 of the 59 districts for the Western Australian Assembly. The Western Australian Legislative Council contains the worst imbalances.