That is what Deakin University Geelong senior lecturer in politics Geoff Robinson believes.

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.

Dr Robinson said the political parties’ main arguments for swapping cities between electorates was “arbitrary” and their choices had more to do with shoring up seats or reducing margins for opponents.

“Pointing out cultural links between cities could be used to justify almost anything,” he said.

There was also the appearance that the Liberals were trying to increase their power within the Coalition with the National Party by exchanging a rural seat for two in the Melbourne suburbs.

“Including Horsham in Wannon would bolster the Liberal Party but I think their major priority is removing Murray,” Dr Robinson said.

“It would shift the balance of power in the Coalition.” 

Dr Robinson said Labor’s proposal to move the Colac-Otway region into Wannon would improve their chances of retaking the marginal seat of Corangamite.

Wannon MP Dan Tehan has described the upcoming electorate changes as an independent process.