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One Nation Wins Another Seat In NSW; Coalition Loses One More, Leyonhjelm Returns; Crossbench Grows To 20

The Senate results for New South Wales were finalised and announced this morning.

The Coalition retained 5 of its 6 senators, the ALP 4, the Greens 1 and Liberal Democrats 1. The final place was taken by One Nation.

The final composition of the Senate is now:

  • Coalition 30 (-3)
  • ALP 26 (+1)
  • Greens 9 (-1)
  • One Nation 4 (+4)
  • Nick Xenophon Team 3 (+2)
  • Liberal Democrats 1 (-)
  • Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party 1 (+1)
  • Family First 1 (-)
  • Jacqui Lambie Network 1 (-)
  • TOTAL = 76

The Coalition polled 35.85% of the primary vote and secured the re-election of its 5 senators – Marise Payne, Arthur Sinodinos, Fiona Nash (Nats), Connie Fierravanti-Wells and John Williams (Nats).

The Coalition has failed to replace Bill Heffernan, who retired at the election. Hollie Hughes, who at one stage threatened the Fierravanti-Wells’ position, has not been elected.

The ALP polled 31.28%, enough to return its 4 incumbent senators: Sam Dastyari, Jenny McAllister, Deborah O’Neill and Doug Cameron.

The Greens polled 7.41%, re-electing Lee Rhiannon to a second term.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation polled 4.10% of the vote and elected Brian Burston. His election means that One Nation will have 4 senators in the new parliament.

The Liberal Democrats secured the re-election of David Leyonhjelm, off a primary vote of 3.09%. [Read more…]


Senator Arthur Sinodinos Denies Wrongdoing Or Illegality

Senator Arthur Sinodinos has issued a statement denying that he has broken the law in relation to the NSW Electoral Commission’s decision to withhold public funding to the Liberal Party because of undisclosed donors.

Sinodinos is Cabinet Secretary in the Turnbull government and a key backer of the Prime Minister. He says the Electoral Commission did not accuse him of setting up a slush fund or breaking the law. “I have never been accused of corruption. I deny any wrongdoing or illegality.”

The statement from Sinodinos is shown below.

Statement from Senator Arthur Sinodinos (Liberal-NSW).

Statement – NSW Electoral Commission

SinodinosIt is for the NSW Division of the Liberal Party to deal with the NSW Electoral Commission’s decision to withhold funding.

Despite what Labor says, the NSW Electoral Commission decision does not accuse me of setting up a slush fund or breaking the law. I have never been accused of corruption. I deny any wrongdoing or illegality.

Regrettably, parts of the Electoral Commission’s Summary of Facts used loose language which could convey erroneous impressions. [Read more…]


NSW Electoral Commission Blocks Liberal Party Funding Over Failure To Disclose Donations

The NSW Electoral Commission has blocked payment of $4.4 million in public funding to the Liberal Party because it failed to disclose the identity of all major political donations in 2011.

In a statement, the Electoral Commission said: “The Party will remain ineligible until it discloses all reportable political donations in relation to its 2011 declaration. These donations include some made by donors identified during the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) public hearings in Operation Spicer.”

In particular, the Commission is seeking information regarding the identity of donors to the Free Enterprise Foundation. It says: “Since 11 February 2016, the Liberal Party was given opportunities to rectify its declaration but it declined to do so. [Read more…]


The Abbott Ministry – Revised List Following Sinodinos Departure

This is the revised Abbott Ministry, following the departure of Assistant Treasurer Senator Arthur Sinodinos.

Sinodinos stood aside yesterday in the face of pressure over the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation into Australian Water Holdings.

Senator Mathias Cormann is listed as “Acting Assistant Treasurer”. [Read more…]