'Burt' Readies For Election Debut

CANBERRA -- The name “Burt” conjures, for some, a certain hirsute 1970’s movie heartthrob, but it is making a comeback in 2015 for political nerds.

The Australian Electoral Commission has been working through a population redistribution in Western Australia and has proposed, in time for the next election, a new federal electorate in the south east corner of Perth.

Provisionally called “Burt”, it would be WA’s 16th electorate, cover 172 sq/km and be a tribute to the late legal leaders of the state's Burt family, which included Sir Archibald Burt, Septimus Burt and Sir Francis Burt.

Strong rivals for Burt included the political suggestions, "Beazley" and "Court", but they were rejected as there was “some potential for confusion with other living family members who are prominent public figures.”