The Commission was established in 1975 under an amendment to the South Australian Constitution to carry out periodic redistributions of the electoral boundaries of the State’s lower house, the House of Assembly in the Parliament of South Australia.

Originally, these redistributions were to take place after five or more years had elapsed between two general elections held on the same boundaries.

The Commission must also have regard to matters which are outlined in section 83(2) of the Constitution Act 1934 (SA), being: Following a referendum, between 1991 and 2016 the Boundaries Commission was also required to have ensured, as far as practicable, that the redistribution was fair to prospective candidates and groups of candidates, so that if candidates of a particular group attracted more than 50 per cent of the popular vote, including preferences, they would be elected in sufficient numbers to enable a government to be formed.

This “fairness” criterion was unique to South Australia and was repealed by the Australian Labor Party government of Jay Weatherill in 2017.

[4] The Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission consists of 3 members: A chairperson who is the most senior puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia appointed by the Chief Justice, the Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of South Australia and the Surveyor General of South Australia.