Federal electoral division boundaries in Australia are determined at redistributions by a redistribution committee appointed by the Australian Electoral Commission. Redistributions occur for the boundaries of divisions in a particular state or territory, and they occur every seven years, or sooner if a state or territory's representation entitlement changes or when divisions of a state or territory are malapportioned.[2]
The Australian Electoral Commission decided that, with effect from the 2016 election, the former Division of Fraser would be changed to the Division of Fenner, to honour scientist Frank Fenner. The name change was due to plans by the AEC to name a seat in Victoria after former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.[3][4] The proposed name change met with opposition from a number of ACT residents. For instance, former ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said that the name change "traduces" the legacy of Jim Fraser, the MP for Division of Australian Capital Territory from 1951 to 1970 and a man "close to the heart of Canberrans." He also claimed that Fenner himself would have objected to the proposal.[5]