With Victoria set to gain an additional seat in federal parliament, the Australian Electoral Commission has invited public submission on potential boundary changes.

The Liberal Party has suggested that Stawell and Horsham be moved into the Wannon electorate, in which Ararat currently resides.

Stawell, Horsham and areas to the north currently sit within Mallee, represented by National Party MP Andrew Broad, who has his main electorate office in Mildura.

All areas around and to the North of Nhill, Rupanyup, St Arnaud and Rochester would be part on one single seat covering move of north-west Victoria under the Liberals’ suggestion.

Wannon would also increase in geographical size and by a few hundred voters to 109,959 and Mallee would contain up to 113,667 voters.

Mr Tehan said he had read his political party’s submission but would leave the final outcome to the Electoral Commission.

“I have seen the Liberal Party’s submission. Ultimately, these decisions are made by the Australian Electoral Commission,” he said.

“They are the independent umpire. I will go with their decision.

Mr Tehan said he would work to represent all communities that could be a part of Wannon when the changes come through in mid-2018.

“For me, what it means is you just have to work hard whatever communities they ask you to represent,” he said.

“I love all the communities I represent.

“If I get additional communities, I’ll just roll up my sleeves and represent them to the best of my ability as well.” 

After the redistribution is complete, whichever suggestions the commission takes on board, all electorates must contain between minus 10 per cent and plus 10 per cent of 106,954 enrolled voters.

Without changes, both Wannon and Mallee will not have the minimum projected enrolled voters in 2019 to meet requirements.