What happens if the votes are tied in the House of Representatives and in the Senate?
The President of the Senate
David Foote/DPS Auspic
The President of the Senate
David Foote/DPS Auspic
Description
The President of the Senate sits in a large, red chair on an elevated platform in the Senate. The President is a senator who has been picked to run the meetings in the Senate. The President’s chair faces the U-shaped seating of the other senators. From here, the President can see and hear everything that happens, and everyone in the Senate can see the President.
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In both the Senate and House of Representatives, if a vote is tied it is a ‘no’ vote. This is because the Australian Constitution says that votes that votes shall be agreed by more than half of the members voting. Without a majority voting ‘yes’, the question is defeated.
Section 23 of the Constitution requires all senators – including the President of the Senate –to vote. This makes sure each state is equally represented. It also means a tied vote immediately fails, as the President has already voted and cannot resolve a tie.
Section 40 of the Australian Constitution says that the Speaker of the House of Representatives will only vote if there is a tie. This is called a casting vote. Traditionally, the Speaker votes ‘yes’ if the question will allow the House to continue debate but votes 'no' if the question is to make a decision or a change.