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COMMONWEALTH ELECTORAL ACT 1918 - SECT 40

Representation of the Territories in the Senate

  (1)   Subject to subsection   (2), the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory shall each be represented in the Senate by 2 senators for the Territory directly chosen by the people of the Territory voting as one electorate.

  (2)   Where the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory at a general election is 6 or more, that Territory shall, on and from the day of the general election, be represented in the Senate by one senator for every 2 members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in that Territory.

  (3)   Where the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory at a general election is an odd number, subsection   (2) applies as if the number were reduced by one.

  (4)   Subject to subsection   (5), a Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory) is not entitled to separate representation in the Senate.

  (5)   Where 2 or more members of the House of Representatives are to be chosen in a Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory) at a general election, that Territory shall, on and from the day of the general election, be represented in the Senate by one senator for every 2 members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in that Territory.

  (6)   Where the number of members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in a Territory (other than the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory) at a general election is an odd number, subsection   (5) applies as if the number were reduced by one.

  (6A)   Until Norfolk Island becomes entitled to separate representation in the Senate under subsection   (5), this section has effect as if Norfolk Island were a part of the Australian Capital Territory.

  (7)   Until the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands or the Territory of Christmas Island becomes entitled to separate representation in the Senate under subsection   (5), this section has effect as if the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands or the Territory of Christmas Island, as the case may be, were a part of the Northern Territory.


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