Another Season Of Valedictory Speeches As Twelve Senators Depart

Twelve senators are about to leave the Federal Parliament as the July 1 changeover approaches.

The departing senators will give valedictory speeches in the Senate over the next two weeks. The first will be given tomorrow by the Nationals Senator Ron Boswell, who has been in the Senate since 1983.

The Senate has 76 members. Each of the six states has 12 senators, whilst the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory have 2 senators each. Senators serve fixed 6-year terms which commence on July 1. Except in the case of a double dissolution, Senate elections are staggered, with half the state-based senators facing the electorate at each House of Representatives election. Territory senators serve terms that are concurrent with the House.

On July 1, the State senators elected on September 7, 2013 will take their places. These 36 senators will serve terms that end on June 30, 2020.

Twenty-four senators were re-elected last year. Of the 12 who were replaced, 7 were defeated (6 ALP and 1 Liberal) and 5 retired (2 ALP, 2 Liberal and 1 Nationals).

The ALP lost one member in each state and will have only 25 senators from July 1. The party lost 3 members to the Palmer United Party (PUP), and one each to the Liberal Democrats (LDP), the Greens and Family First (FF).

The Liberal Party (LP) lost one member in Victoria to the Motoring Enthusiasts Party (AMEP).

The new Senate will have 4 new members from Queensland, 3 from Western Australia, 2 from Victoria and 1 each from New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.

From July 1, the Senate will consist of: Coalition 33, ALP 25, Greens 10, PUP 3, Motoring Enthusiast Party 1, Family First 1, Liberal Democrats 1, DLP 1, Nick Xenophon 1. The government will need 39 votes to pass its legislation. If the ALP and the Greens are opposed, the government will need the support of 6 of the 8 crossbenchers.