The High Court will hear the constitutional challenge to the Senate voting reforms on May 2.
The Chief Justice, Robert French, fixed the hearing date during a directions hearing today.
The challenge has been brought by South Australian Family First Senator Bob Day. His barrister is Peter King, the former Liberal MP who was defeated by Malcolm Turnbull in a 2004 preselection battle in Wentworth.
During the 22-minute hearing, it was agreed that an affidavit by Malcolm Mackerras, the election expert and psephologist, would not be used in the hearing.
The May 2 hearing is the day before the Federal Budget is delivered. It is nine days before the May 11 deadline for the calling of a double dissolution election.
The transcript of today’s hearing appears below.