Senate - AustralianPolitics.com

The Senate is the so-called “upper house” in Australia’s bicameral parliament.

Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate’s membership is based on state representation. Each state has 12 senators and each of the two territories has 2, giving a total of 76.

Senators serve fixed six-year terms, with each term beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 six years later. Section 13 of the Constitution stipulates that Senate elections take place every three years and that elections for the Senate can only take place in the 12 months prior to the expiry of senators’ terms. Hence, the Senate has a rotating membership, with half of each state’s representation facing the electorate every three years in a half-Senate election.

The Senate may be dissolved in the event of a deadlock between the two houses, as set out in Section 57 of the Constitution.

State of the Parties

Aug 31, 2016: Senate Rotation of Members Confirmed
Aug 21, 2016: The New Senate: The Defeated, Retired, New and Returning
Aug 12, 2016: Government and ALP Agree On Senate Terms
Aug 04, 2016: 2016 Election – Final Senate Results
Jul 07, 2014: New Senators Sworn In
Oct 03, 2013: Senate Numbers and the Abbott Government
Jul 01, 2002: State of the Parties 1974-2002
Dec 09, 2001: Complete List of Current and Prospective Senators
Dec 09, 2001: The Balance of Power in the Senate

Senate Activity

Dec 16, 2005: John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since 1 July – the Federal Opposition has attacked the government over its Senate behaviour since assuming control on July 1, 2005.
Mar 15, 1995: Federal Parliament Sitting Days 1994

Senate Procedures

2015 – Standing Orders and other orders of the Senate

Senate Seating Plans

Women Senators

Women Senators Since 1901 – complete list of women senators, showing party affiliation, states and dates served.
Women in the 45th Parliament (2016)

Lists: Members of the Senate

Archived Posts

November 27, 2023: JSCEM Report on 2022 Federal Election Tabled
July 31, 2019: Sen. Nita Green (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech
July 31, 2019: Sen. Tony Sheldon (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech
July 30, 2019: Sen. Matt O’Sullivan (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech
July 30, 2019: Sen. Tim Ayres (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech
July 30, 2019: Sen. Hollie Hughes (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech
July 24, 2019: Sen. Raff Ciccone (ALP-Vic) – Maiden Speech
July 24, 2019: Sen. Andrew Bragg (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech
July 23, 2019: Sen. Claire Chandler (Lib-Tas) – Maiden Speech
July 23, 2019: Sen. Susan McDonald (Nats-Qld) – Maiden Speech
July 1, 2019: David Hurley Sworn In As 27th Governor-General Of Australia
June 19, 2019: Fiona Patten Not Happy Malcolm Roberts Has Been Re-Elected
April 3, 2019: Sen. Duncan Spender (LDP-NSW) – Maiden Speech
June 27, 2018: Sen. David Smith (ALP-ACT) – Maiden Speech
June 20, 2018: Sen. Amanda Stoker (LNP-Qld) – Maiden Speech
May 22, 2018: Turnbull And Shorten Pay Moving Tribute To Sir John Carrick
May 9, 2018: Sen. Tim Storer (Ind-SA) – Maiden Speech
March 27, 2018: Sen. Kristina Keneally (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech
March 21, 2018: Sen. Steve Martin (Ind-Tas) – Maiden Speech
February 15, 2018: Sen. Kristina Keneally (ALP-NSW) Sworn In
February 14, 2018: Sen. Jim Molan (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech
December 5, 2017: Sen. Andrew Bartlett (Greens-Qld) – Maiden Speech
December 4, 2017: Sen. Rex Patrick (NXT-SA) – Maiden Speech
November 29, 2017: Sen. Jordon Steele-John (Greens-WA) – Maiden Speech
October 17, 2017: Sen. Slade Brockman (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech
September 4, 2017: Senate Refers Nash And Xenophon To High Court; Hinch And Gallagher Safe; Hanson Audit Motion Defeated
September 4, 2017: Senate President Statement On Burqa Wearing
August 17, 2017: Pauline Hanson’s Senate Burqa Stunt; Labor And Greens Give Brandis A Standing Ovation
August 16, 2017: Sen. Peter Georgiou (One Nation-WA) – Maiden Speech
July 14, 2017: Scott Ludlam Resigns From The Senate; Victim Of Section 44 Dual Citizenship Rule
June 21, 2017: Sen. Lucy Gichuhi (SA-Ind) – Maiden Speech
May 10, 2017: Women In The 45th Australian Parliament
February 7, 2017: Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders
February 7, 2017: Senate President’s Statement On Culleton Disqualification
February 3, 2017: Culleton Ineligible To Nominate For Senate, High Court Rules; Recount Likely To Elect Peter Georgiou
January 11, 2017: Senator Rodney Culleton Disqualified; Senate President Declares Vacancy In WA; High Court To Decide How To Fill It
September 16, 2016: Stephen Conroy Announces Resignation From Senate In Undelivered Speech
September 12, 2016: Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP-Vic) – Maiden Speech
September 1, 2016: Senate Passes Resolution Calling For Royal Commission Into Banking Industry
August 31, 2016: Senate Seating Plan – 45th Parliament
August 31, 2016: Dastyari Statement On Top Education Payments; Bernardi On The Attack
August 31, 2016: Coalition-Labor Deal On Rotation Of Members Confirmed By Senate
August 30, 2016: 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed
August 30, 2016: Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders
August 29, 2016: Xenophon Senators Will Oppose Same-Sex Marriage Plebiscite; Senate Now Seems Certain To Oppose Poll
August 22, 2016: 2016 Senate Votes: A Higher But Fragmented Vote For Minor And Micro Parties
August 21, 2016: The New Senate: The Defeated, The Retired, The New And The Returning
August 12, 2016: Government And ALP Agree On Senate Terms; First Elected To Get 6 Years
August 10, 2016: How Well Did Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Do In The 2016 Federal Election?
August 5, 2016: Senator Derryn Hinch Addresses The Melbourne Press Club
August 4, 2016: Getting Things Done In The New Senate
August 4, 2016: One Nation Wins Another Seat In NSW; Coalition Loses One More, Leyonhjelm Returns; Crossbench Grows To 20
August 4, 2016: One Nation Wins Two Queensland Senate Seats; Coalition Loses Ground; ALP And Greens Unchanged
August 3, 2016: Ricky Muir: I Can Leave Parliament Proud
August 3, 2016: Victorian Senate Results Finalised; Liberals Gain 1, Greens Keep 2, Hinch Elected
August 2, 2016: South Australian Senate Results Finalised; Xenophon Soars As Liberals, ALP And Greens Lose Ground; Bob Day Re-Elected
August 1, 2016: ACT Senate Results Finalised: One-All, No Change
August 1, 2016: Western Australian Senate Results Finalised; One Nation Wins Second Seat
July 27, 2016: Tasmanian Senate Results Finalised; ALP, Liberals, Greens And Lambie Take All 12 Seats
July 25, 2016: Northern Territory Senate Results Finalised: One Each To ALP and CLP
July 9, 2016: How Well Did Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Do In The Federal Election?
June 11, 2016: A Cautionary Tale: Senate Votes In The 2013 Federal Election
June 10, 2016: Parties And Groups Contesting The Senate In The 2016 Federal Election
June 10, 2016: Nominations – House of Representatives & Senate 2016
May 13, 2016: High Court Unanimously Dismisses Challenge To Senate Voting Changes
March 18, 2016: Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall
March 16, 2016: Sen. James Paterson (Lib-Vic) – Maiden Speech
March 15, 2016: James Paterson Sworn In As Victorian Liberal Senator
March 1, 2016: Senator Joe Bullock Announces Resignation Over ALP Policy On Same-Sex Marriage
March 1, 2016: Conroy Says Senate Voting Reform Would Give Coalition A Blocking Majority
November 11, 2015: Standing Orders And Other Orders Of The Senate
September 21, 2015: Current Federal Parliamentary Leaders
October 2, 2014: Senate President Announces Decision On Covered Visitors To Parliament House
September 30, 2014: ALP And Greens Back Palmer Motion For Select Committee Inquiry Into Queensland Government
September 8, 2014: Harry Evans, Former Clerk And Champion Of The Senate, Dies, 68
July 10, 2014: Carbon Tax Repeal Bill Defeated In Senate As Palmer Squabbles With Government Over Amendments
July 8, 2014: Jacqui Lambie Asks Her First Question As A Senator; Wants Billions And Special Economic Zone For Tasmania
July 8, 2014: Palmer Party Senate Leader Glenn Lazarus Heckled During First Speech On Repealing Carbon Tax
July 7, 2014: Senate Seating Plan – 44th Parliament
July 7, 2014: Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry Elected President Of The Senate
July 7, 2014: Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete
June 16, 2014: Another Season Of Valedictory Speeches As Twelve Senators Depart
May 23, 2014: Busting The Budget: Greens MP Condones Blocking Of Appropriation Bills By Senate
May 9, 2014: Changes To Senate Voting Methods Recommended; Liberals, ALP And Greens Agree To Stamp Out Preference Gaming
April 29, 2014: W.A. Senate Election Result Now Finalised; Liberal 3, ALP 1, Greens 1, PUP 1
April 14, 2014: Brian Harradine, Long-Serving Independent Senator Expelled By ALP, Dies, 79
April 6, 2014: Liberals Clinging To Three Seats In WA Senate Election; Labor Thrashed As Greens Triumph And Palmer Surges
March 3, 2014: Scott Ludlam Invites Tony Abbott To Western Australia: “We Want Our Country Back”
February 18, 2014: High Court Voids Western Australian Senate Election; New Poll Looms
December 30, 2013: Clive Palmer Releases Memorandum Of Understanding With Motoring Enthusiast Party
November 15, 2013: Electoral Commission Asks Court Of Disputed Returns To Void W.A. Senate Result
November 4, 2013: W.A. Senate Result Declared
November 2, 2013: Greens And Sports Party Prevail In WA Senate Count; Next Stop Court Of Disputed Returns
October 31, 2013: AEC Loses 1,375 Votes In WA Senate Count; Mick Keelty To Investigate
October 30, 2013: Deborah O’Neill Appointed To Fill Bob Carr’s Casual Senate Vacancy
October 23, 2013: Bob Carr Resigns From The Senate, Abandons Promise To Beat Strom Thurmond
October 10, 2013: Electoral Commissioner Orders Senate Recount In Western Australia
October 3, 2013: Electoral Commission Refuses Request For Senate Recount In W.A. – Greens To Appeal
October 3, 2013: The New Senate Numbers And The Abbott Government
October 2, 2013: Greens Seek Recount After Scott Ludlam Loses Western Australian Senate Seat
October 1, 2013: Palmer Wins By 7 Votes, Triggering Recount; Final Senate Results Now On Way
September 9, 2013: Transition To Abbott Government Begins; Shorten, Albanese Vie For ALP Leadership As Recriminations Start; Mirabella Struggling In Indi; Palmer Takes Fairfax; Micro Parties Descend On Senate
February 23, 2013: Zed Seselja Topples Gary Humphries For ACT Liberal Senate Preselection
February 16, 2013: ‘Enemy Of The State’ – Senator Nick Xenophon Deported From Malaysia
February 1, 2013: Evans, Roxon Quit Gillard Cabinet; Reshuffle Imminent
January 23, 2013: NITV Interview With Nova Peris
August 10, 2012: Senate President John Hogg To Retire
June 21, 2012: Senator Mary Jo Fisher To Resign
June 1, 2012: Sherry Resigns From Senate
May 10, 2012: Valedictory Speech: Senator Nick Sherry
April 13, 2012: Bob Brown Resigns; Christine Milne New Greens Leader
March 31, 2012: Senator Judith Adams Dies
March 2, 2012: Bob Carr Enters The Senate And Becomes Foreign Minister
June 15, 2011: Craig Thomson And The Gillard Government
December 13, 2007: 3-2-1 Split In Tasmanian Senate Poll
December 16, 2005: John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st
August 7, 2005: Greens Say They Will Test New Senate On Day One
November 29, 2004: Condolences For Former Senator Janine Haines – House Of Representatives
November 17, 2004: Steve Fielding, Family First Senator-Elect, Addresses National Press Club
November 16, 2004: Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament
March 10, 2004: Abbott Announces Medicare Plus Deal With Senate Independents
December 6, 2003: Andrew Bartlett ‘Stands Aside’ Over Drunken Incident In Senate Chamber
September 30, 2003: John Faulkner: Balancing Government Effectiveness With Oversight And Scrutiny
August 25, 2003: Mal Colston, Venal Politician, Labor Rat, Dead At 65
May 1, 2003: Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate
July 1, 2002: State Of The Parties: Senate 1974-2002
June 25, 2002: Meg Lees Under Attack By Democrats; Senate Numbers At Stake
June 12, 2002: The Senate: Terms Of Office, Voting, And “Reform”
May 19, 2002: Supply And The Budget
April 29, 2002: Democrats: You Do Not Have The Right To Remain Silent
March 11, 2002: Bill Heffernan’s Disgraceful Speech Under Parliamentary Privilege
December 9, 2001: The Balance of Power in the Senate
December 9, 2001: Current and Prospective Senate Membership
May 1, 2001: Longest Currently Serving Members Of Federal Parliament
July 1, 1999: Members Of The Senate From July 1, 1999
October 15, 1998: Howard Signals Intention To Accept Colston’s Vote
October 15, 1997: Kernot Quits Democrats To Join Labor
July 1, 1996: Members Of The Senate From July 1st, 1996
May 1, 1996: Senator Natasha Stott Despoja (Dem-SA) – First Speech
March 15, 1995: Federal Parliamentary Sitting Days – 1994
September 17, 1990: Senator Nick Sherry (ALP-Tas) – Maiden Speech