2

I don't quite understand why the new Senate does not come into effect until 1 July, operating with the previous election's results, when the new House of Representatives sits almost immediately after the election. What is the reason for this inconsistency and time delay?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

I can tell you where it comes from, but not why it's the way it is.

The Australian Consitution, Chapter I, Part II, Section 13 says:

For the purpose of this section the term of service of a senator shall be taken to begin on the first day of July following the day of his election, except in the cases of the first election and of the election next after any dissolution of the Senate, when it shall be taken to begin on the first day of July preceding the day of his election.

There is no such provision in the equivalent Part addressing the The House of Representatives.

Senators also serve a 6 year term, roughly half of which expire every 3 years. The House must be reelected every 3 years, although it can happen more frequently. It just so happens* that currently the term of the House is such that it's convenient to elect the next batch of Senators, but that is not a requirement.

* And by "just so happens", I mean "it was arranged such"

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    Could be expanded with a) Purposive nature in contemporary politics (regulation of sudden electorate swings), b) Purposive nature as contemplated by the drafters and preceding constitutional conventions
    – Samuel Russell
    Commented Jul 21, 2014 at 22:09
  • 2
    @SamuelRussell - I totally agree, but I know next to nothing about Australian politics, so I'm not qualified to add that. All I can do is research what Wikipedia and the document itself say. If you know more than I do (which wouldn't be hard), feel free to add an additional answer with those reasons.
    – Bobson
    Commented Jul 22, 2014 at 14:01

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .