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Odgers' Australian Senate Practice Thirteenth Edition

Chapter 4 - Elections for the Senate

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Contents

The powers and operations of the Senate are inextricably linked with the manner of its election, particularly its direct election by the people of the states by a system of proportional representation. This chapter therefore examines the bases of the system of election as well as describing its salient features.

The constitutional framework

Bases of the constitutional arrangements

Current electoral arrangements and proportional representation

Number of senators

Election timing – periodical elections

Election timing – simultaneous general elections