Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam has admitted he doesn't think his position is secure while votes are still missing from the Western Australian Senate election.
"I think it's possible that we will be heading to a fresh election mid-way next year," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
Senator Ludlam said the Greens were awaiting the outcome of an inquiry by former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty.
Mr Keelty is inquiring into how the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) lost 1370 votes for the September 7 federal poll from WA booths in Bunbury East, Henley Brook, Mount Helena and Wundowie.
"I don't think anybody's got any serious hopes that those votes will be recovered," Senator Ludlam said.
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After being formally declared as senator for the next six years, Senator Ludlam said the Greens would not lodge a petition to the Court of Disputed Returns for a fresh poll unless the AEC decided to challenge the result.
The AEC and other potential parties to the case - Labor and the Palmer United Party - have 40 days from November 4 to petition the court.
