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Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC

Jun 21, 2019

The 2019 Federal Election is officially over, following today’s return of the writs by the Australian Electoral Commission.

The AEC returned the writ for the House of Representatives elections to the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. Writs for state senators were returned to state governors. The Senate territory writs were also returned to the Governor-General.

The writ is an official command from the Governor-General to the AEC to conduct elections. Section 12 of the Constitution specifically outlines the requirements for Senate writs.

Now that the election is over, Section 5 empowers the Governor-General to summon parliament. This must occur within thirty days of the return of the writs. The government has already indicated the Parliament will meet on July 2. The Governor-General issued a proclamation to this effect on June 19.

Media release from the AEC announcing the return of the election writs.

Writs Returned

Filed Under: 2019 Federal Election, Governor-General, Opening Parliament Tagged With: ,

Ballot Paper Formality Guidelines – AEC

Sep 15, 2015

This is the latest edition of the Australian Electoral Commission’s booklet on informal votes.

It is the official and most authoritative guide to formal and informal voting. [Read more…]

Filed Under: AEC, Informal Votes Tagged With: ,

W.A. Senate Election Result Now Finalised; Liberal 3, ALP 1, Greens 1, PUP 1

Apr 29, 2014

The result of the re-run of the Western Australian Senate election is now final, with the Liberal Party winning three seats and the ALP winning just one.

One position was taken by Zhenya Wang of the Palmer United Party, taking its Senate numbers to three.

The Greens Senator Scott Ludlam was re-elected.

Western Australia joins South Australia in electing only one senator out of six available positions. This is the first time one of the major parties has failed to win two positions since proportional voting was introduced at the 1949 elections. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, A.L.P., Abbott, AEC, Palmer United Party, Senate Tagged With: , ,

Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn Resigns; WA Electoral Officer Also Goes; Casualties Of Senate Debacle

Feb 21, 2014

The Australian Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn, has resigned. The Western Australian Electoral Officer, Peter Kramer, has also quit.

KillesteynKillesteyn’s resignation was announced this afternoon by the Special Minister of State, Senator Michael Ronaldson. He said Killesteyn has taken personal leave until his resignation takes effect on July 4.

The resignation comes a day after the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, formally voided the Western Australian Senate election. The court ruling followed a petition from the AEC that the election should be thrown out following the loss of around 1300 ballot papers during last year’s count.

Killesteyn’s resignation is an honourable move to accept responsibility that will safeguard the AEC against ongoing criticism. It comes just two months into his second 5-year term as Electoral Commissioner.

The resignation of the Western Australian Electoral Officer, Peter Kramer, complements Killesteyn’s and provides a chain of accountability for last year’s events. Kramer was in the final year of a 5-year term. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, AEC Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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