The augmented Electoral Commission for Tasmania held a hearing in Launceston on Monday to investigate objections to the proposed redistribution of electoral divisions in the state.

Three speakers addressed the issue of whether the boundaries of Bass should be altered to include the entirety of the West Tamar municipality and remove Dorset and Flinders.

It was argued that the entirety of the Meander Valley should instead be moved into Lyons. 

Liberal state president Geoff Page said the party favoured the minimalist approach to redistributions and the proposed changes were unfair and unnecessary.

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He said the redistribution committee is required by law to give due consideration to a number of factors including communities of interest and their economic, social and economic interests, as well as means of communication and travel. 

“The Dorset region has been part of Bass for more than a century and Launceston is the major regional centre for business, retail, education, health and cultural activities for the people of North-East Tasmania,” Mr Page said. “The resident, business, industry and community groups of the Dorset municipality have significant connections with Launceston. These connections do not exisit and would not be replicated in Lyons.”

Mr Page said the population of Bass also fell comfortably within legislative requirements.

“Lyons is our largest electorate and has the most dispersed population of any in Tasmania … Lyons is already a challenging division for its parliamentary members to serve,” he said. “Adding two large municipalities, one of which is an isolated island, would not only add to the difficulties faced by MPs it would also diminish the level of access to their parliamentary representatives.”

Dorset mayor Greg Howard said he did not think a case had been made to change the boundaries given Lyons and Bass fell within the numerical requirements of the electoral act.

He did concede the benefit of including entire municipalities within one federal government area, which is proposed for the West Tamar.

“Dealing with two federal members as a mayor or councillor and potentially ten members of the House of Assembly in the state, given state boundaries usually follow federal boundaries, is a difficult process,” Cr Howard said.

“I think the same premise should apply to that part of the Meander Valley Council region which currently sits within Bass and should be transferred into Lyons.”

Cr Howard said the Dorset Council and community were united against the proposal to move the region into the division of Lyons.

He said it would also remove any chance of someone from Dorset being elected into parliament.