Table 1 compares structural outlines
Table 2 provides enrolment comparisons

Table 1

Outline comparison between the old and the new electoral system

for the Western Australian State Parliament

House of Parliament	Old system [applied up to State general election on 6th Sept 2008]	Reformed new system
ASSEMBLY	57 districts The State is divided into 2 electoral zones by the Metropolitan Region Scheme Boundary The law requires 34 districts in the Metropolitan Area which means an average enrolment of approximately 27,500 The law requires 23 country districts which means an average enrolment of approximately 14,000 A redistribution would occur 1 year after every 2nd general election and set enrolments within 15% above or below the average in each zone	59 districts Instead of 2 electoral zones an average district enrolment will be calculated for the whole State of approximately 21,350 *. Some districts will exceed 100,000 square kms in area in which case at the time of a redistribution a number equal to 1.5% of their area will be added to artificially increase the number of electors so that the total may fall within a tolerance from 20% below to 10% above the State average district enrolment. This could reduce the enrolment in 5 districts by approximately 34,000. A redistribution will occur 2 years after every general election and will set the enrolment for most districts within 10% above or below the average district enrolment. [initial boundaries prepared in first half of 2007]
COUNCIL	34 Members The State is divided into the same 2 electoral zones which apply for the Assembly and each zone is represented by 17 Members There are 3 regions in the country zone. Mining & Pastoral elects 5, Agricultural elects 5 and South West elects 7 Members There are 3 regions in the metropolitan zone. South Metropolitan elects 5, East Metropolitan elects 5 & North Metropolitan elects 7	36 Members The State is divided into 2 electoral zones and the boundary between them will be generally co-extensive with the Metropolitan Region Scheme Boundary There will be 3 country and 3 metropolitan regions with no change to the names of the regions Each of the 6 regions will elect 6 Members
LAW	Law about the creation of electoral boundaries was in a separate Act - the Electoral Distribution Act	The Electoral Distribution Act is repealed and the creation of electoral boundaries is now consolidated with other electoral law in the Electoral Act.
* Enrolments at 26th February 2007

Table 2 Comparison between the old and the new electoral system Malapportionment among enrolments in the new regions for Legislative Council elections show imbalances as large as those in the system being replaced but the boundaries of the old system have existed since 1998. Growth in enrolments has accumulated significant distortions in the old regions and this effect is likely to continue. Key Significant improvement Minimal or no change Enrolments at 26th February 2007
	Comparison	Old	New
Legislative Assembly [LA]	Metro enrolment Country enrolment Metro districts Country districts	74.3% 25.7% 59.6% [34] 40.4% [23]	No change No change 71.2% [42] 28.8% [17]
LA Average enrolments	Metro districts Country districts Ratio between Metro and Country	27,978 14,092 1.95:1	22,275 19,066 1.17:1
LA enrolments Highest district Lowest district	Percentage above State average Percentage below State average	+66.4% Wanneroo -45.8% Kalgoorlie	+8.4% Cottesloe -47.1% Pilbara
LA enrolments	Ratio between highest and lowest district enrolment	3:1	2.0:1
Legislative Council [LC]	Metro enrolment Country enrolment Metro seats Country seats	74.3% 25.7% 50% [17] 50% [17]	No change No change 50% [18] 50% [18]
LC Average enrolments per MLC	Metro regions Country regions Ratio between Metro and Country	55,031 19066 2.88:1	51,974 18,007 2.88:1 No change
LC enrolments Highest region Lowest region	Percentage above State average Percentage below State average	+50.6% North Metro -65.2% Mining & Pastoral	+48.8% North Metro -64.8% Mining & Pastoral
LC enrolments	Ratio between highest and lowest region enrolment	4.3:1	4.2:1
Control of Parliament	Majority of MsLA in lowest enrolment districts Majority of MsLC in lowest enrolment regions	37.7% [29/57] 30.0% [18/34]	48.0% [30/59] 29.8% [19/36]