Federal Labor frontbencher Mark Butler’s electorate of Port Adelaide is set to be abolished under an Australian Electoral Commission draft proposal as a result of South Australia’s declining population growth.
But Labor has been saved from a potentially embarrassing fight by Kate Ellis’s retirement announcement last year, meaning the five remaining Labor MPs will all be able to retain their positions in parliament.
Port Adelaide would be scrapped as part of a redrawing of boundaries, which will see the state lose one of its 11 federal electoral divisions.
Butler, who is also a candidate for the party’s national president, said in a statement that he was “disappointed” by the commission’s proposal and did not rule out challenging the decision.
“The proposed redistribution of South Australian Federal seats today by the Australian Electoral Commission is a draft,” he said.
“I have been the proud member of Port Adelaide since 2007 and am obviously disappointed in its proposal to abolish the Division of Port Adelaide.
“This seat is deeply entrenched in the local community, with a proud and long history.
“I will be looking at all my options as I continue to serve my community and as we await a final decision by the Commission.”
Under the draft proposal, Butler’s electorate would be largely absorbed by the neighbouring seat of Hindmarsh, held by his party colleague, Steve Georganas.
The boundary shift would turn the traditionally marginal Hindmarsh electorate, which is currently held with 0.6% margin, into a relatively safe Labor seat, with Antony Green predicting a buffer of 8.2%.
The electorate of Wakefield, held by Labor MP Nick Champion, which sits above Port Adelaide, would be redrawn to take in the northern suburbs of Butler’s division, and renamed Spence, in honour of suffragette leader, Catherine Helen Spence.
And Wakefield re-named Spence, a fine recognition of women's vote and electoral reform advocate Helen Spence.
— Antony Green (@AntonyGreenABC) April 13, 2018
The new Spence electorate would become one of Labor’s safest seats in the state, with the boundary shift increasing the margin from 11% to 18%.
But the changes could create a small headache for Labor, with members now jostling for the safest seats.
Speaking to media shortly after the decision, Champion confirmed he would be seeking pre-selection in the new seat of Spence.
“Of course pre-selections are always spirited affairs when they are on, but I think I have done a good job of representing the northern suburbs. I have good support in the local branch, I am a pretty familiar face out here, people know that my heart is in the right place and I have always fought the good fight for them,” he said.
“I guess my posture has always been politically very northern suburbs, I say it plainly, I say it directly and of course I will keep fighting on their behalf no matter what the pre-selector’s decision.”
Butler, who holds the shadow climate change portfolio, is considered one of Labor’s rising stars. The battle for party president currently rests between Butler and Wayne Swan.
Champion is considered a solid performer, while Georganas, Butler’s factional ally, is considered a strong media and background operator.
Adelaide will also see an increased buffer under Green’s predictions, moving from a 4.7% margin to 8.9%.
The changes will also see the Liberal party’s Nicolle Flint in danger of becoming a one-term MP, with her already tight margin of 3.5% in Boothby constricting to 8.8%, under the boundary moves.
Butler’s office has been contacted for comment.
