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WA Senate election to be re-run, court rules, challenging balance of power WA Senate election to be re-run, court rules, challenging balance of power
(about 2 hours later)
Western Australians will return to the ballot box for a half-Senate election, probably in April or May, after the high court dismissed arguments from political parties that it should resolve a dispute over missing ballot papers and declare a result.Western Australians will return to the ballot box for a half-Senate election, probably in April or May, after the high court dismissed arguments from political parties that it should resolve a dispute over missing ballot papers and declare a result.
The result of the new election for six WA senators could potentially change the make-up of the crossbench votes upon which the Abbott government will rely to gain passage of key parts of its legislative agenda. It will also mean parties will be campaigning in the west as the government prepares for what it has signalled will be a “tough” budget in May.The result of the new election for six WA senators could potentially change the make-up of the crossbench votes upon which the Abbott government will rely to gain passage of key parts of its legislative agenda. It will also mean parties will be campaigning in the west as the government prepares for what it has signalled will be a “tough” budget in May.
Initial counting after last September’s election gave the fifth and sixth Senate positions in WA to the Palmer United party’s Zhenya Wang and the ALP’s Louise Pratt, but after a recount the seats were awarded to the Sports party’s Wayne Dropulich and the Greens’ Scott Ludlam.Initial counting after last September’s election gave the fifth and sixth Senate positions in WA to the Palmer United party’s Zhenya Wang and the ALP’s Louise Pratt, but after a recount the seats were awarded to the Sports party’s Wayne Dropulich and the Greens’ Scott Ludlam.
The count also revealed the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) had lost 1,370 votes.The count also revealed the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) had lost 1,370 votes.
The AEC had petitioned the court to hold another ballot. It has estimated the cost of the new poll at about $11m.The AEC had petitioned the court to hold another ballot. It has estimated the cost of the new poll at about $11m.
Labor, along with the Palmer United party (PUP), demanded the court declare the original WA Senate result valid. That would have secured the seats of their candidates.Labor, along with the Palmer United party (PUP), demanded the court declare the original WA Senate result valid. That would have secured the seats of their candidates.
Under either the existing WA result (three Liberals, one Labor, one Sports party and one Green) or the original result that the ALP and the PUP wanted to stand (three Liberals, two Labor, one PUP) the government could have probably expected four votes in favour of most of its legislative proposals and two against from the six WA senators.Under either the existing WA result (three Liberals, one Labor, one Sports party and one Green) or the original result that the ALP and the PUP wanted to stand (three Liberals, two Labor, one PUP) the government could have probably expected four votes in favour of most of its legislative proposals and two against from the six WA senators.
If a new WA election resulted in the more usual breakdown of three Liberals, two Labor and one Green, or two Liberals, two Labor, one Green and one conservative-leaning independent, it would mean the government could expect three votes in favour of most of its proposals and three against.If a new WA election resulted in the more usual breakdown of three Liberals, two Labor and one Green, or two Liberals, two Labor, one Green and one conservative-leaning independent, it would mean the government could expect three votes in favour of most of its proposals and three against.
That would make the balance of power in the new Senate a much more fluid proposition, possibly reduce the power of the PUP and possibly put the independent senator Nick Xenophon and the Democratic Labour party senator John Madigan back in the Senate “balance of power” mix.That would make the balance of power in the new Senate a much more fluid proposition, possibly reduce the power of the PUP and possibly put the independent senator Nick Xenophon and the Democratic Labour party senator John Madigan back in the Senate “balance of power” mix.
Tony Abbott has said the WA poll will be a referendum on the abolition of the carbon and mining taxes. Liberal federal director Brian Loughnane tweeted: “In WA, the @LiberalAus Senate team will be a strong voice to ensure all WA gets its fair share.”
Greens senator Scott Ludlam, who will be facing the voters again, said the election was “a WA poll, but also an election which can make a difference to the national balance of power in the Senate”.
It is unclear how WA voters may have shifted since last September. The latest Nielsen poll has the government leading Labor nationwide by 52% to 48% on two-party-preferred terms and Tony Abbott has said a WA poll would be a referendum on the abolition of the mining and carbon taxes.It is unclear how WA voters may have shifted since last September. The latest Nielsen poll has the government leading Labor nationwide by 52% to 48% on two-party-preferred terms and Tony Abbott has said a WA poll would be a referendum on the abolition of the mining and carbon taxes.
But if the poll did result in a different mix of senators from the west, it could change the outcome of some debates in the senate.But if the poll did result in a different mix of senators from the west, it could change the outcome of some debates in the senate.
Xenophon has said he would vote for the repeal of the carbon tax, but says he wants to see evidence the government’s “direct action” policy is “credible”.Xenophon has said he would vote for the repeal of the carbon tax, but says he wants to see evidence the government’s “direct action” policy is “credible”.
He and Madigan will not vote for the government’s proposed abolition of the $10bn Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which is also opposed by Labor and the Greens.He and Madigan will not vote for the government’s proposed abolition of the $10bn Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which is also opposed by Labor and the Greens.
They are more supportive of considered industry intervention than would be suggested by the government’s new “line in the sand”.They are more supportive of considered industry intervention than would be suggested by the government’s new “line in the sand”.
The AEC will start the preparing for the election after a writ is issued by WA governor Malcolm McCusker.The AEC will start the preparing for the election after a writ is issued by WA governor Malcolm McCusker.
Special minister of state Senator Michael Ronaldson has made it clear he doesn’t want any more lost ballot papers.Special minister of state Senator Michael Ronaldson has made it clear he doesn’t want any more lost ballot papers.
“The people of Western Australia, having cast their vote at the last federal election, will rightly be aggrieved that the actions of the Australian Electoral Commission will force them to vote again in a fresh election,” he said in a statement.“The people of Western Australia, having cast their vote at the last federal election, will rightly be aggrieved that the actions of the Australian Electoral Commission will force them to vote again in a fresh election,” he said in a statement.
“It is incumbent upon the Australian Electoral Commission to ensure that never again will such a failure of process occur, as it did with the 1,370 lost votes. While the Australian Electoral Commission is an independent statutory authority, as the responsible minister, I expect the Australian Electoral Commission to fulfil its functions and obligations to the Australian community.”“It is incumbent upon the Australian Electoral Commission to ensure that never again will such a failure of process occur, as it did with the 1,370 lost votes. While the Australian Electoral Commission is an independent statutory authority, as the responsible minister, I expect the Australian Electoral Commission to fulfil its functions and obligations to the Australian community.”