| Legal Framework |
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| Electoral Law | 1 January 1918 Last amendments: 15/06/1995, 16/12/1995 |
| Mode of designation | directly elected 76 |
| Constituencies | - 6 multi-member (12 seats) constituencies corresponding to the states - 2 multi-member (2 seats) constituencies corresponding to the federal territories |
| Voting system | Proportional: Single-transferable-vote. Under this system, each elector indicates an order of preference among all the candidates of the constituency; he/she may alternatively indicate support for the registered order of preference of a party or group of candidates. Once the number of first preference votes obtained by each candidate has been recorded, an electoral quota for the state or territory is determined by dividing the total number of votes by one more than the number of seats to be filled and increasing by one the result so arrived at. Any candidate who receives the established quota of votes is declared elected. Senate candidates receiving votes in excess of the quota have their surplus votes distributed (at a discount), according to their electors' ranking of preferences. If all the positions are not filled by candidates obtaining quotas by this means, then the next preferences of the voters for the least successful candidates are distributed, until all vacancies are filled by candidates obtaining quotas. The final result is a constituency with several candidates elected, each representing a proportion or quota of the total vote. Vacancies are filled by selection of a person of the same political party by a joint sitting of the houses of parliament of the state or territory concerned. Voting is compulsory. Unwarranted abstention is punishable by fine. |
| Voter requirements | - At least 18 years old - Australian citizen or British subject registered on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll on 25 January 1984 Disqualifications: People of unsound mind, or with conviction for treason, or prisoners serving a sentence of five years or more, are ineligible to vote. |
| Candidates |
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| Eligibility | - Qualified electors - At least 18 years old - Australian citizenship |
| Incompatibilities | - A member of the House of Representatives, or a state or territory legislature - A citizen or subject of a foreign power - A person convicted of an offence punishable by a sentence of 12 months or more - An undischarged bankrupt - A holder of an office of profit or pension payable out of public funds - A government contractor |
| Candidacy requirements | - nomination by 50 qualified electors or a registered officer of the party that is endorsing the candidate - payment of A$ 700, reimbursed to any candidate who obtains at least 4
of first preference votes or who is in a group of candidates securing this same percentage
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