Australian government will have difficulties with new Senate
With the probable make-up of the Australian Senate becoming clearer, the balance of power looks grim for the government. Almost all the cross-bench factions will be able to veto government … Continue reading
The likely make-up of the new Australian Senate
The shape of Australia’s new Senate is coming into view, and it does not look to be an easy chamber for the Turnbull coalition government. The overall position seems to … Continue reading
Senators will allocate terms of office to themselves
In August, when the newly elected Australian Senate first meets, the senators will face a task with an unusual degree of political and personal seat-interest. A decision must be made dividing … Continue reading
New senators will have unequal voter support
Some of the newly elected Australian Senators will need to brace themselves for a new form of abuse: being denounced as “unrepresentative ‘below-quota’ swill”, to paraphrase Paul Keating’s famous quote. … Continue reading
Australians elect a Parliament, but not a government
The dust is not settling quickly on yesterday’s Australian election. Australians have elected a Parliament, but not an executive government. But then, under Australia’s constitutional system the voters never do … Continue reading
Independents could win in divided communities
With polling suggesting that Australians will vote for minor parties and independents at record levels in today’s election, records may also fall for the lowest first preference vote that goes … Continue reading
Only 1 in 3 Australians will influence election of House
Australian voters will elect their national House of Representatives and their Senate this weekend. In electing the House – where governments are formed – around two-thirds of voters will have virtually … Continue reading
Australians rush to enrol, but not all are equal
Nearly 15.7 million Australians are enrolled to vote at the July 2 federal election, according to the final official tally after enrolment closed on 23 May. The voters’ names make … Continue reading
Could senators lose a year of their terms?
A reader of this site – Reg Jones – has sent in a comment/query suggesting that there may be some defect in the Australian government’s calculation that the state senators … Continue reading
Optional preferencing law upheld by Court
Australians will elect their senators on July 2 by the optional preferencing method, after a legal challenge to recent legislative changes was unanimously rejected by the High Court today. “None of … Continue reading
On Elections 