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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.

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