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Chapter 11 - Voting
and divisions
Pairs
By arrangement between parties in the Senate, a system of pairing
operates, whereby a senator who is absent and who is expected to vote on one
side in a particular question is “paired” with a senator who is expected to
vote on the other side and who is either also absent or who deliberately does
not vote in order to cancel out the effect of the other senator’s absence.
Pairs are also arranged for vacant places in the Senate. This system ensures
that the result of votes is not determined fortuitously by the absence of
particular senators. Pairs are usually
not arranged, however, for secret ballots, for
the reason that voting is meant to be secret and it should not be known how
individual senators vote (for exceptions see SD, 21/4/1983, pp 6-7; 20/8/1996,
pp 2676-92).
Pairing arrangements are determined by the party whips, and may last
for days, weeks or months, or may be varied from vote to vote. Pairs are
entirely an informal arrangement between the parties and not part of the
procedures of the Senate. The chair therefore does not consider any matters relating
to pairs (statement by
President Calvert, SD, 7/11/2006, p. 1). In earlier
years rulings were made to the effect that pairs could not be referred to in
the course of proceedings. These rulings are now not followed, and it is common
for senators to make statements concerning pairing arrangements. This practice
has been upheld by a President’s ruling (ruling of President Cormack, SD, 10/5/1973, p 1532, 15/5/1973, pp 1560-1).
Pairs are not referred to in the Journals record of votes, but lists of pairs are
included in the voting lists shown in Hansard.
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