Senate Australian federal election, 2013

government (33)

coalition

     liberal (23)

     lnp (6)

     national (3)

     clp (1) opposition (25)

     labor (25) crossbench (18)

     green (10)

     palmer (3)

     motoring (1)

     liberal democrat (1)

     family first (1)

     dlp (1)

     independent (1)

the senate has 76 seats. forty seats election; 6 in each of 6 states, 2 act , 2 northern territory. terms of 4 senators territories commenced on election day. terms of 6 longest-serving state senators ended on 30 june 2014 , start of terms of new state senators commenced on 1 july 2014, , last 6 years ending on 30 june 2020.

the senate saw coalition government on 33 seats labor opposition on 25 seats, greens on ten seats , crossbench of 8 – palmer united on 3 seats, other minor parties , independents on 5 seats – ldp s david leyonhjelm, family first s bob day, motoring s ricky muir , incumbents nick xenophon , dlp s john madigan. muir announced vote in line palmer united. initial election saw wayne dropulich of australian sports party win seat in western australia, subsequent voiding of result , ensuing special election saw palmer united party gain third seat. coalition government required support of @ least 6 non-coalition senators pass legislation.

a record number of candidates stood @ election. group voting tickets came under scrutiny because multiple candidates provisionally elected vast majority of 14.3 percent quotas coming preferences of other parties across political spectrum. preference whisperer glenn druery organised tight cross-preferencing between on 30 minor parties part of minor party alliance. sports wayne dropulich won senate seat on record-low primary vote of 0.2 percent in western australia, party placing coming 21st out of 28 groups on primary votes. motoring s ricky muir won senate seat on record-low primary vote of 0.5 percent in victoria. family first s bob day won seat on primary vote of 3.8 percent in south australia. 3 involved minor party alliance. previous examples of winning low vote shares include family first s steve fielding in 2004 on 1.9 percent in victoria, nuclear disarmament party s robert wood in 1987 on 1.5 percent in new south wales, , dlp s john madigan won seat in 2010 on primary vote of 2.3 percent in victoria. xenophon , larger parties including incoming government announced @ changes gvt system.

western australia special senate election

most senate votes cast in western australia subject formal recount. during recount determined 1,375 wa senate ballot papers not located. after final recount result duly declared changed last 2 predicted wa senate spots palmer , labor sports , green. mick keelty, former afp commissioner, requested aec investigate issue of misplaced ballot papers. on 15 november, aec petitioned high court, acting court of disputed returns, seek order court wa senate election of 6 senators (3 liberal, 1 labor, 1 green, 1 sport) declared void. on 18 february 2014, announced court of disputed returns had found result of western australia senate election should voided, meaning fresh election 6 senate vacancies required.

the aec notes court has advised in written decision issued today finds relief appropriate 2013 western australian senate election result declared void.......in accordance australian constitution , requirements of western australian election of senators act 1903, election of 6 senators western australia occur once writ has been issued excellency mr malcolm mccusker ac cvo qc, governor of western australia.

on 28 february 2014 announced half-senate election in western australia take place on 5 april, returned 3 liberal, 1 labor, 1 green, 1 palmer.