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House of Representatives                                Ch 5                                                 p 132

Constituency

T he electoral divisions in Australia vary in population around an average of about 126 000 people ¹ and vary greatly in other respects, ranging from inner-city electorates of a few square kilometres to electorates that are larger in area than many countries.

Members provide a direct link between their constituents and the federal administration. Constituents constantly seek the assistance of their local Member in securing the redress of grievances or help with various problems they may encounter. Many of the complaints or calls for assistance fall within the areas of social welfare, immigration and taxation. A Member will also deal with problems ranging from family law, postal and telephone services, employment, housing and health to education—even the task of just filling out forms. Many Commonwealth and State functions overlap and when this occurs, cross-referrals of problems are made between Federal and State Members, regardless of political affiliations.

A Member has influence and standing outside Parliament and typically has a wide range of contacts with government bodies, political parties, and the community as a whole. Personal intervention by a Member traditionally commands priority attention by departments. In many cases the Member or the Member’s assistants will contact the department or authority concerned. In other cases, the Member may approach the Minister direct. If the Member feels the case requires public ventilation, he or she may bring the matter before the House—for instance, by addressing a question to the responsible Minister, by raising it during a grievance debate or by speaking on it during an adjournment debate. It is more common, however, for the concerns or grievances of citizens to be dealt with by means of representations to departments and authorities, or Ministers, and for them to be raised in the House only if such representations fail.

A Member may also make representations to the Government on behalf of his or her electorate as a whole on matters which are peculiar to the electorate. The building of an airport or other major project within the electorate, or the prospect of difficulties in a local industry, are examples of representation closely related to local circumstances.

August 2001 census figures. The range was from about 87 000 (Lyons, Tas) to 176 000 (Sydney, NSW).