Hi! Could you please explain what a half-Senate election is and why this happens. Thanks for your time.

Thanks for taking the time to ask your question Luke. A half-Senate election is when only 40 of the 76 Senate seats are available for election (half the state Senate seats plus the 4 senators representing the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory). Half-Senate elections usually take place at the same time as House of Representations elections (ie at least every 3 years). 

In comparison, a full Senate election (all 76 seats) only occurs after both the Senate and the House of Representatives have been dissolved in a double dissolution.

The red Senate chamber. There are people sitting in seats which are arranged in a U-shape around a large central table.

The Senate from behind the President of the Senate's chair

DPS Auspic

The Senate from behind the President of the Senate's chair

The red Senate chamber. There are people sitting in seats which are arranged in a U-shape around a large central table.

DPS Auspic

Description

This image is of a large room with red furnishings. The seats are arranged in a horse-shoe shape around a large central table. There are people sitting in the seats and papers on the desks.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.