WA: Boundary changes will make next election close, says McGinty

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WA: Boundary changes will make next election close, says McGinty

The West Australian government says the next state election will be a neck-and-neckrace, following significant electoral boundary changes.

The government says changes to both metropolitan and country electoral boundaries forthe next state election will see the Labor Party lose three seats.

Electoral Affairs Minister JIM MCGINTY says the alterations mean the next election,due by early 2005, will be harder for the government to win.

The metropolitan seats Roleystone and Innaloo -- both gained by Labor at the last election-- will be abolished, and there'll be five seats instead of six in the mining and pastoralregion.

Mr MCGINTY says the boundary changes mean the government's bid to end vote-weightingin WA, which starts in the High Court tomorrow, is even more important.

The two-day hearing is the government's final attempt to change the system which givescountry electors twice the voting power of those in the city.

The state opposition says the boundary changes are fair for both sides, but the highcourt case is politically motivated.

AAP RTV tc/rp

KEYWORD: BOUNDARIES (PERTH)