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Coalition seeking control of the Senate

The Coalition has engineered strategies and done deals aimed at not only winning government but also gaining control of the Upper House, to guarantee its legislative agenda.

SENATE.jpg
(AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated

By Karen Middleton

Source: SBS


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As the election draws close, the agenda of the next Prime Minister will soon be revealed.

The Federal government and Coalition have been battling to the end for the seat in Parliament.

Polls favour Opposition leader Tony Abbott.

However, it looks like the Coalition will not only aim to win the government, but also gain control of the Upper House.

"What he [Tony Abbott] is now coming after this week is control of the Senate as well. Absolute power and control of both houses of Parliament," said Greens leader Christine Milne.

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And this has not been denied by Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos.

"For us it's important that the Liberals and Nationals get as close as we can to a majority in the Senate," said Mr Sinodinos.

In most states, Nationals and Liberals share the top three 'winnable' sports on a joint Senate ticket.

But in WA, where they are not in coalition, Nationals and Liberals will be running separately, in hope for an unprecedented fourth coalition seat.

The strategy's modelled on their Queensland success nine years ago, where the Nationals' Barnaby Joyce secured a fourth seat, and Senate control.

This seat, if won, will be filled by the Nationals' star recruit, Indigenous footballer David Wirrapanda and could be at Green Scott Ludlam's expense. 

"'That would bring Abbott within one seat of having absolute numbers in the Senate. That's something that we are going to fight like hell to prevent," said Mr Ludlam. 

 For the full story, watch the video above.


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