Australian Federal Election- July 2, 2016

[jaichind]

Hi.  Someone will have to explain how the Senate elections work in Australia.  It seems they are for 6 year terms with half each up every 3 years.  But it seems that every-time there is a general election for the House half the Senate is up for re-election as well.  I get this time it is a double dissolution where everyone in the Senate is up for election.  But traditionally how do they square the fact that it it not clear that every House election occurs every 3 years but the Senate term is 6 years.  I think that the way it works is that every other House election half the Senators are up for re-election.  Did I get that right ?

[jaichind]

Hi.  Someone will have to explain how the Senate elections work in Australia.  It seems they are for 6 year terms with half each up every 3 years.  But it seems that every-time there is a general election for the House half the Senate is up for re-election as well.  I get this time it is a double dissolution where everyone in the Senate is up for election.  But traditionally how do they square the fact that it it not clear that every House election occurs every 3 years but the Senate term is 6 years.  I think that the way it works is that every other House election half the Senators are up for re-election.  Did I get that right ?

I imagine that if they were to get out of sync, than the Senate elections would still happen separately.

Yes.  That would make sense and match how they doing things in Japan where there is an Upper House election every 3 years no matter what.  The problem is I cannot find an example of an Australian Senate election being held by itself without involving the House. 

[jaichind]

The new Senate voting system based on  optional preferential voting also sounds interesting but also looks to be very complex.

[jaichind]

What time does the polls close on 7/2?

[jaichind]

Looks like it will be L/NP with 76 seats looking at where we are in the seats in doubts and projected swings.

[jaichind]

Even if  L/NP  ends up with 75 I assume they can get KAP to back them to get a majority.   Also what would be the position of Andrew Wilkie on L/NP government?

[jaichind]

 L/NP  wins or leads with only 74 now.  I assume this will change once postal votes are counted.

[jaichind]

Even though it is 67-67 right now I have to imagine that L/NP has the upper hand due to postal votes.  Not sure how much of that are counted.

[jaichind]

Did not NXT also indicated that they are open to supporting L/NP?  L/NP is ahead in 74.  74+2 = 76