It’s awwwn, he moans:
West Australians are set to go back to the polls within weeks for an unprecedented standalone Senate election after the High Court today voided the results of last year’s disputed ballot.
High Court Justice Kenneth Hayne, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, agreed with the Australian Electoral Commission that the loss of 1370 ballot papers changed the close result.
“(The Court) found that, without regard to the voting intentions recorded in those ballot papers, the conclusion that the loss probably affected the result of the election was inevitable,” a statement issued by the court said.
…It is understood Prime Minister Tony Abbott will have responsibility for setting the election date.
With the Constitution setting a minimum 33 days for an election campaign, March 29 looms as the earliest date Mr Abbott could call the poll.
I expect no delay given the timetable for scrapping the carbon tax. The control of the Senate is at stake here. Stand by for nuclear politics.
