Past Election Results
Australia received its first prime minister, Sir Edmund Barton, in the year 1901. He played a major role in shaping the national administration that was in power at the time. Ever since, there has been a total of forty-five federal elections in this country.
Australians are expecting the next federal election to be held on August 4 this year. This election will only be for the half-Senate and for those vying for the House of Representatives position. Australian residents are expecting this election process to be held, at the latest, on May 18 next year. For a long time now, the elections in this country have been conducted on Saturdays.
The system used for the federal election of the Senate and the House of Representatives is known as the preferential voting system. As per the drum from the electoral body in charge of elections in New Zealand and Australia, the winning candidate is the one who receives an absolute majority that exceeds 50% of the total number of votes cast. In the case that there is no absolute majority accessed during the first count, distribution of the preferences is done until they get the absolute majority.
Australia conducted the last federal election on July 2, 2016. This was the double dissolution type of election results that made Malcolm emerge as the elected Prime Minister for Australian residents.
The federal election for Australia is normally held after a period of three years. In the Australian constitution, it is stated that there exists a certain short period following the parliamentary after which the elections are supposed to be held. Furthermore, the Museum of Australia Democracy states that the election timing is dictated by the Prime Minister who seeks a request, in a formal manner, for parliament dissolution from the Governor-General. This is so, because the Governor-General is capable of refusing a request pertaining to early parliament dissolution.
Australia has made voting a compulsory process for all of its residents. Australians who are 18 years old or above are strictly required to participate in the election process. This compulsory voting process was established in the year 1924, placing Australia among the 19 countries that require its citizens to strictly participate in the voting process.
The Australian Prime Minister can secure his seat for a long period of time if the party is supported by a certain number of citizens. In addition to having support, the party is required to consist of the majority members when it comes to the House of Representatives. Sir Robert Menzies is recognized as the long-serving Prime Minister from the year 1939 to the year 1941 and then from the year 1949 to the year 1966.