NorthOfNorth wrote on Jun 26
th, 2010 at 5:16pm:
Lobo wrote on Jun 26
th, 2010 at 4:54pm:
perceptions_now wrote on Jun 26
th, 2010 at 12:19pm:
As suggested on Yahoo some time ago, I suspect that Labor would prefer to go to the next election, sooner, rather than later, for various reasons.
I was of the opinion that August would have been the most likely candidate, given events that would interupt at other times.
I am still of the same opinion, with perhaps early October, as their second preference!
Could someone fill me in on the finer details?
As i understand it the federal parliament operates on a 3 year term.
While I realise they can go to the polls early, I cant see how they can go past the weekend closest to 24 Nov.
There has been talk of as late as March- April next year.
I would like to know how this works.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Australian_federal_election Further to Helian's post, the following excerpt clarifies the dates issue.
The last federal election was held on 24 November 2007. The last date on which the next election can be held is calculated in the following way:[4]
Section 12 of the Constitution says: "The Governor of any State may cause writs to be issued for the election of Senators for that State"
Section 13 of the Constitution provides that the election of Senators shall be held in the period of twelve months before the places become vacant.
Section 28 of the Constitution says: "Every House of Representatives shall continue for three years from the first sitting of the House, and no longer, but may be sooner dissolved by the Governor-General."[5]
Section 32 of the Constitution says: "The writs shall be issued within ten days from the expiry of a House of Representatives or from the proclamation of a dissolution thereof."
Section 156 (1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (CEA) says: "The date fixed for the nomination of the candidates shall not be less than 10 days nor more than 27 days after the date of the writ". [6]
Section 157 of the CEA says: "The date fixed for the polling shall not be less than 23 days nor more than 31 days after the date of nomination". [7]
Section 158 of the CEA says: "The day fixed for the polling shall be a Saturday". [8]
"The first meeting of the House of Representatives and the 42nd Parliament occurred on 12 February 2008.[9][10] Therefore it expires on 11 February 2011, unless dissolved sooner. (Of Australia's 41 completed parliaments, only one, the 3rd Parliament 1907-1910, continued for the full three years, all the others having been dissolved earlier.[11]) The writs must therefore be issued by 21 February 2011 (ten days after the expiry). The last date on which nominations can close is therefore 20 March 2011 (27 days after the writs). The last day that is a Saturday and no more than 31 days following the close of nominations is 16 April 2011."That said, I would prefer and am in favour of change to -
Fixed term Elections and I would prefer a 4 year term, perhaps in October, with the senate, State & Local (if they still exist) elections are the same date. Many thanks to helian and perceptions.
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