Senate results pave way for carbon repeal
Oct 09, 2013
In the recent Federal election, the Coalition secured a comfortable majority in the lower house. However, implementing their policy of repealing the carbon price was dependent on the outcome of the half-Senate election, as the Coalition would need a majority in both houses. It is likely the Coalition would have triggered a double dissolution election should results have not gone their way.
With the Senate results declared, it appears likely that the Coaltion will secure a majority to repeal the carbon price. Once the newly elected Senators take their seats in July 2014, the Coalition's 33 votes can rely on 3 votes from the Palmer United Party, plus a vote each from the Liberal Democrats, Family First and the DLP. This will be enough to secure a majority. While the Coalition would have preferred a quicker repeal with the help of the Labor party, it appears the possibility of a double dissolution election is diminishing.