The Court of Disputed Returns has given a strong indication that Western Australia will go back to the polls for a new Senate election. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) asked for the Senate election to be declared void after 1,370 ballot papers were missing for a recount. Justice Kenneth Hayne has ruled that the loss of those ballot papers meant the electors were prevented from voting. He also ruled that Greens senator Scott Ludlam and the Australian Sports Party’s Wayne Dropulich were not duly elected.
Submissions from the Labor Party and the Palmer United Party (PUP) that the first result be upheld were dismissed.
That first count resulted in success for three Liberal candidates, two from Labor and one from the PUP.
The result was challenged by Senator Ludlam and Mr Dropulich, and a recount was ordered in which they were successful.
Full Article: High Court Judge indicates WA likely to go back to polls for fresh Senate election – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).