As counting of the 2013 federal election winds down, the Senate election result is now clear.
There is a small chance of change in Western Australia where the Greens have asked for a recount following Scott Ludlam’s defeat.
Because of the fixed terms of the Senate, it will be another nine months before the complexion of the Senate changes. Current senators remain in place until June 30, 2014.
The current numbers are:
The Current Senate – until June 30, 2014 |
Party/Group |
No. |
Coalition |
34 |
A.L.P. |
31 |
Greens |
9 |
D.L.P. (Madigan) |
1 |
Independent (Xenophon) |
1 |
TOTAL |
76 |
In this configuration, the Greens hold the balance of power. The Greens-ALP combination has a blocking majority. It ensures that Abbott government legislation to repeal the carbon pricing arrangements and the mining tax will most likely be rejected by the Senate.
This will be the state of the parties in the Senate after July 1, 2014:
The New Senate – from July 1, 2014 |
Party/Group |
No. |
Coalition |
33 |
A.L.P. |
26 |
Greens |
9 |
Palmer United Party |
3 |
D.L.P. (Madigan) |
1 |
Liberal Democrats (Leyonhjelm) |
1 |
Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party (Muir) |
1 |
Family First (Day) |
1 |
Independent (Xenophon) |
1 |
TOTAL |
76 |
In this configuration, the ALP-Greens combination becomes less important and power shifts to a collection of minor groups and independents.