2013 Federal Election Senate Results

Only six years ago, the three most popular states presented a snooze-fest when it came to the senate – 3 each to the ALP and the Coalition, thank you all for voting and we’ll continue with our nice little duopoly.

What a different world we have this time around. While barring a recount the Sports party ultimately failed to win a seat off their 0.23% primary vote, we’ve still got ten senators from outside the majors. With all the talk of preference deals, hopefully we’ll get to see some reform that will get rid of ticket voting before the next time around.

But hey, let’s get to the results:

1st place: South Australia (2 Liberal, 1 Xenophon, 1 ALP, 1 Greens, 1 Family First)

Oh dear, what is going on? How can we possibly give the South Australians first place when they’ve gone ahead and elected a member of a right wing Christian party? This should really be considered an indictment on how well the election actually went. The Croweaters get first place on the back of the elections of Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick Xenophon.

2nd place: Tasmania (2 Liberal, 2 ALP, 1 Greens, 1 Palmer)

Those Taswegians usually put in a good performance at elections and their high occurrence of below the line voting sets a good example to the rest of the country. Disappointing to see Peter Whish-Wilson have to go to preferences to win his seat. But more disappoing is the election of Jacqui Lambie. Clive Palmer is a one-percenter. ’nuff said.

3rd place: Victoria (2 Liberal, 2 ALP, 1 Greens, 1 Motoring)

Looking really good until you see Ricky Muir of the Australian Motoring Enthusiasts Party winning a seat. Sadly, this is just the latest installment from the state that has previously elected members from Family First and the DLP. With Tony Abbott already preferring a 1950s era roads only transport policy, this can’t end well for the nation.

4th place: Queensland (3 LNP, 2 ALP, 1 Palmer)

Poor. Actually downgrade that to terrible. Won’t see much support for a mining tax here.

5th place: New South Wales (2 Liberal, 2 ALP, 1 National, 1 Liberal Democrat)

When you first listen to the libertarian position, it can appear alluring. The government shouldn’t interfere in personal life, so therefore censorship shouldn’t happen and marijuana should be legalised. OK but those positions are the easy ones to get to. It’s when you delve a bit further that problems start to appear – there’s that classic line about ending up advocating for the abolition of fire departments. (Actually they’d probably try to privatise them). Fundamentally, you probably shouldn’t get someone to run a government when their core belief is that the government shouldn’t exist.

6th place* Western Australia (3 Liberal, 2 ALP, 1 Palmer)

The failure to reelect Scott Ludlam puts WA into last place here. I’m ashamed of my home state.

*subject to change if the recount changes the outcome