Prorogation of the 47th Parliament

What does this mean for the Senate?

The Senate has a continuing, rotating membership with elections being held for half the 72 state senators every three years. State senators are elected for six-year terms, while the four territory senators serve the same term as members of the House of Representatives.

The election to be held on 3 May will be for territory senators and those senators whose terms expire on 30 June 2025. Territory senators will commence their term from the first day of the new Parliament. The terms of state senators who are elected on 3 May will begin on 1 July.

Prorogation is regarded as terminating the sittings of the Senate, but as the Senate was not dissolved along with the House of Representatives, its committees (not joint committees) may continue to meet, conduct hearings and present reports if they choose to do so.

Business on the Senate Notice Paper, including questions on notice and presentation dates for committee reports, remains in place until immediately before the commencement of the next Parliament.