The New Senate: The Defeated, The Retired, The New And The Returning

There will be 14 new faces in the new Senate when it meets for the first time on August 30.

This represents 18.42% of the Senate’s 76 members. Each state has 12 senators, whilst the territories have 2 each, who serve terms concurrent with the House of Representatives. The double dissolution meant that all 76 positions were up for election on July 2.

The fourteen new senators include two (Louise Pratt and Don Farrell) who were Labor senators defeated in 2013.

Ten of the fourteen departed senators were defeated in the election, whilst four retired. [Read more…]


Abbott Government Commits Defence Aircraft To Coalition Airstrikes Against ISIL In Iraq

The Abbott government will commit up to eight Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft to participate in airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq.

Abbott

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the decision at a joint press conference with the Defence Minister, Senator David Johnston, and the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, following a Cabinet meeting.

“This is not a decision the Government has taken lightly,” Abbott said. “Ultimately it is Iraq that must defeat ISIL, but it cannot do it alone.” [Read more…]


Valedictory Speech: Senator Alan Eggleston (Lib-WA)

Senator Alan Eggleston has delivered his valedictory speech to the Senate, bringing to an end his 18-year parliamentary career.

Eggleston

Eggleston, a Liberal from Western Australia, was first elected at the 1996 federal election. He was re-elected in 2001 and 2007. [Read more…]


Valedictory Speech: Senator Sue Boyce (Lib-Qld)

Senator Sue Boyce has delivered her valedictory speech to the Senate, bringing to an end her 7-year parliamentary career.

Boyce

Boyce, a Liberal from Queensland, was first appointed to the Senate in 2007 to replace Santo Santoro, who had resigned over undeclared shareholdings. She was elected to a full term at the 2007 election. [Read more…]